Agenda item

Mr Graham presented a detailed report regarding the nature of the financial challenge facing the County Council over the next few years and informed the meeting that the County Council was faced with making savings of around £300m over the next few years which was the equivalent of 38% of its current budget.

It was reported that in response to the increasing financial constraints the County Council had adopted a number of approaches, including a review of planning assumptions and forecasts which had led to a reduction of £17.4m in the level of savings required over the next four years. In addition a further £19.1m of efficiency savings had been identified over the next two years through a range of measures such as reducing supplies, squeezing costs, removing vacancies or reducing hours 

In considering the report the following issues were discussed by members of the Forum and the public.

·  In response to a query regarding street lighting it was reported that a programme of replacing existing lighting with the more efficient LED lighting was included in the capital programme. In addition it was proposed to dim or switch off street lighting in certain locations in order to reduce costs, though this would be in line with the requirements to maintain safety.

·  The efficiency savings which had been made via the 10% challenge were noted though there was some concern that such savings could have an impact on certain vulnerable groups. The effectiveness of a recently introduced scheme of signing connected with parking restrictions in Charnock Richard was also questioned. 

·  It was suggested that in view of the unprecedented financial situation over the next few years it was vital that all political parties work together to find viable solutions. In response Mr Graham reported that the County Council had a cross party scrutiny task group in place which would look at any budget proposals before they were presented to the County Council. 

·  Whilst it was recognised that Directorates had been asked to identify savings it was suggested that they should also consider ways of raising additional revenue, for example by having advertising at Household Waste Recycling Centres. Mr Graham reported that there had already been a number of suggestions made which would result in some revenue being raised. However, he added that in many cases charges were already made for services and care needed to be taken that increasing existing charges or introducing new charges did not have a detrimental effect on use of those services. It was also noted that the current financial climate was having an impact on the individuals/organisations which the County Council could sell services to and that demand in certain markets was reduced.

·  The need to avoid duplication of effort was discussed and it was noted that the County Council and District Councils did have a number of shared services.

It was reported that the comments of Forums would be taken into consideration when developing further proposals to meet the remainder of the savings requirement in 2014/15 which would be presented to the County Councils Cabinet in December and January and would be the subject of further consultation.

Agreed:

1. That the comments set out above be forwarded to the County Treasurer for consideration by the County Council’s Cabinet as part of the process for finalising the 2014/15 budget proposals.

2. That any additional comments members of the Forum may have regarding the budget be forwarded to the Locality Officer for submission to the County Treasurer.