Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit BUDGET FAIR 2014 Tim Richens Chief Financial Officer & Divisional Director of Business Support
Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit The Budget Fair »This is a 8 th year of the Annual Budget Fair »Provides the Context for the continuing Financial Challenge facing the Council. »Cllr Bellotti - outlining the Administration’s approach to the Budget and the priorities. »Forms part of the Council’s Budget Consultation Process »All questions and comments will be captured »Provides Feedback into the Budget Process
Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit The Financial Challenge »Government continuing efforts to reduce the Annual Budget Deficit. »Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) –Oct % reduction in Government funding /12 to 2013/14 for this Council. »CSR 2013 shows reductions in 2014/2015 and 2015/16 of 18% and 27%. »Likely to be Longer Term pressure on Public Sector Expenditure until 2020 »2016/17 likely to be particularly challenging
Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit National Policy Developments »Needs based funding now limited »Business Rate Growth Localised (33%) »Reduction to Education Support Grant -20% »Introduction of Better Care Fund »Care Act to be implemented in phases April 2015 and April 2016 »Role of LEP – EDF and Local Growth Fund »Continued Welfare Reforms inc Universal Credit »A 1% Council Tax Freeze Grant for Councils who do not increase their Council Tax
Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit What This Means »A Sustained Financial Challenge for Local Government. »The Council has already approved a Medium Term Plan covering 3 years 2013/14 to 2015/16 »Identified £27M of savings over the 3 years. »Further variations equating to £9M will be required in 2015/16 to balance the Budget. »Subject to the Settlement Announcement »2015/16 will be a “variation only” Budget »The Council’s government RSG funding may disappear altogether within the decade.
Bath and North East Somerset – The place to live, work and visit Budget – Key Dates »Early November – commence Consultation with Staff, Unions and Stakeholders »November - Policy Development & Scrutiny Panels »Late December or early January - Government Financial Settlement »January – Cabinet Draft The Budget Proposal »11th February - Budget Report to Cabinet »17 th February - Budget Report to Council »26 th February – Reserve Council Date