Agenda item

a)  That the Council’s current projected Revenue Budget for 2012/13 to 2015/16 be noted.

b)  That updated assumptions underlying the Medium Term Financial Plan be noted.

c)  That the overarching savings strategy and targets as set out on Appendix A to the report be approved and that additional proposals be further developed to meet remaining budget deficit.*

d)  That the specific proposals set out in section 5.15 of the Report be agreed and that Officers be requested to implement them with immediate effect where possible.*

The Cabinet was provided with the latest projections of the Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2012/2013 to 2015/2016 and detailed a number of specific saving proposals.  New proposals included a commitment to reduce agency staff spend which would primarily be achieved by employing agency staff for a maximum of 30 hours per week, wherever possible.

The Cabinet was advised of the proposal to increase the number of posts offered on a part-time basis, which would widen the pool of local people available to undertake roles, particularly women.  Officers advised that this would have a minimum impact upon current full-time employees and it was emphasised that there was no intention to burden current staff with unreasonable workloads.  Officers were questioned by the Cabinet as to the availability of evidence which suggested that part-time workers were as productive as full-time workers.  Officers informed that evidence was available Council and industry wide which suggested that productivity was not hindered by part-time employment.  It was agreed that this information be made available to Cabinet members at their request.

The final saving was to be made via increased emphasis upon maintaining a fit and healthy workplace.  The Cabinet was informed that Officers suffering from long term sickness would not be affected by this proposal, but rather work would be undertaken with trade unions, staff and managers to minimise time lost as a result of short term sickness.  In response to a question, the Cabinet was advised that this would not require amendments to be made to the Council’s existing sick leave policy, but rather the measure currently available within the policy would be more readily enforced.

The Cabinet agreed to take the overarching savings strategy and targets as set out on Appendix A, in addition to the specific proposals set out in section 5.15 of the Report, on the grounds of urgency.

Resolved:

(a)  That the Council’s current projected Revenue Budget for 2012/13 to 2015/16 be noted.

(b)  That updated assumptions underlying the Medium Term Financial Plan be noted.

(c)  That the overarching savings strategy and targets as set out on Appendix A to the report be approved and that additional proposals be further developed to meet remaining budget deficit. (Decision taken on the grounds of urgency).

(d)  That the specific proposals set out in section 5.15 of the Report be agreed and that Officers be requested to implement them with immediate effect where possible.  (Decision taken on the grounds of urgency).