Agenda item

To consider the budget process report alongside the Budget 2022/23.

A report from the Financial Planning Task Group will follow.

The report from the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director Resources and Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer), and Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) on the Council’s Budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2022/23-2025/26 is attached.

The Wiltshire Council Budget 2022-23 was presented by Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for finance, with support from Andy Brown, Corporate Director for Resources and Deputy Chief Executive, along with Terence Herbert, Chief Executive, and other members of the Cabinet and Corporate Leadership Team.

The context behind the Budget was explained, with reference made to the extended resources and spending needed for the ongoing Covid-19 response, though it was stated that Wiltshire Council were in a better position that many authorities. Cllr Clewer stated that the Budget would continue to ensure that vital services to the residents, businesses and communities of Wiltshire would continue to be provided. The complications that arise with regard to the budget equalisation reserve were noted but it was explained that the Council were proposing to utilise the reserve for the 2024/25 financial year.

The Chairman, Cllr Graham Wright, then invited the Select Committee Chairs and others to ask any questions to the Leader and officers.

Full details of the matters raised in discussion by and with the Committee would be included in a report appended to the minutes. The report from the Financial Planning Task Group in consideration of the budget was also received and considered.

Topics raised included, but were not limited to, discussion around the cost of achieving a net zero carbon target, leisure funding across Wiltshire including the proposed leisure centre in Trowbridge, new charges for some waste item collection, responding to Ash Dieback, calculation and use of demographic data, the impact of inflation, procurement processes and support for people remaining at and being supported at home.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was:

Resolved

1.    To note the Draft Wiltshire Council budget for 2022-23 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2022/23 to 2024/25 and to refer the comments of the Committee and the report of the Financial Planning Task Group to Cabinet and Full Council for consideration on 1 and 15 February 2022 respectively.

2.    To support ongoing scrutiny investigation of the budget, including the Financial Planning Task Group’s continued focus on monitoring delivery of the budget and the development of the budget for 2023-24.