Decision details

Service  

Ref/title of budget proposal: 

Proposed recommendation  

Reason 

OVERALL BUDGET 

Capitalisation Direction and proposed additional increase to Council Tax – awaiting DLUHC approval 

Scrutiny Committee to recommend to Executive and S151 Officer that it receives an update on the outcome of the capitalisation direction and council tax increase request at meeting on 7 March and if unsuccessful what mitigations are proposed 

To ensure S114 is avoided   

Developing the approach to Transformation (outline business case for Executive 7 February) 

Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the Outline Business Case at its meeting on 7 March   

To understand the potential impact on Council services and delivery of Council Plan priorities 

Level of General Reserves in 2024/25 and 2025/26 being sufficient and level of pressures for 2025/26 to avoid a S114 

Scrutiny Committee to receive regular updates on the level of general and earmarked reserves in 2024/25 and projections for 2025/26, together with projected pressures for 2025/26 as part of monthly budget monitoring reports throughout 2024/25 

Concerns whether the level of general reserves and potential pressures projected for 2025/26 will result in Section 114  

COMMUNITIES 

Appendix 6 – pg 3 

Devolution of Services/Facilities to Parish/Town councils and pressures on Parishes taking on these additional areas of work 

The Committee welcomes the partnership work being undertaken with Somerset’s Town and Parish Councils and recommends that Scrutiny Committee for Communities receives quarterly update reports regarding the progression and delivery of devolution of various communities services and assets to Parish and Town Councils. 

To monitor the delivery of devolution proposals and  whether additional capacity is needed from Somerset Council to enable this 

CMS 018 (pg 3 of Appendix 6 savings proposals) - CCTV 

Scrutiny Committee for Communities to receive quarterly update reports regarding the progression and delivery of income generation proposals with relevant Parish and Town Councils to deliver the target value to avoid cessation of the CCTV service. 

To monitor the delivery of alternative solutions to avoid cessation of the service and provide a 2024/25 and future years viable solution  

CMS022 – Octagon Theatre in Yeovil 

CMS038 – Westlands entertainment venue, Yeovil 

CMS020 – Yeovil recreation Ground 

Scrutiny Committee Communities to receive quarterly updates on the delivery of the devolution of specific assets and services to Yeovil town council as alternative solutions to these savings proposals. 

To receive a quarterly update on the capital bid to DCMS and the potential capital investment in the Octagon Theatre 

To monitor the delivery of these devolution proposals and the proposed capital project for the Octagon during 2024/25 together with delivery of any mitigations if unsuccessful 

Adults & Health Services 

Appendix 6 – pg 1 

Significant and high risk savings proposals 

Scrutiny Committee Adults & Health to receive quarterly updates on the delivery of ADS 001, ADS 004, ADS 005, ADS 006, ADS 007 and ADS 011 and scrutinise any adverse impacts on service users, partners and providers 

To be assured on the delivery of the proposed savings and scrutinise any adverse impacts on service users 

Children, Families & Education 

Education & Inclusion 

Recommend that Scrutiny Children & Families receive quarterly reports regarding the Deficit Action Plan for High Needs Block and Dedicated Schools Grant and the continuation of the statutory override 

To maintain sufficient oversight on delivery of this plan and its mitigation of significant risks to the Council 

Significant and high risk savings proposals 

Scrutiny Committee Children & Families to receive quarterly updates on the delivery of savings proposals CFE 003, CFE 004, CFE 005, CFE 009, CFE 011, CFE 012, CFE 013 and CFE 014, together with scrutinising any adverse impacts on young people, partners and providers 

To be assured on the delivery of the proposed savings and scrutinise any adverse impacts on young people 

Service delivery and Ofsted rating of service for vulnerable children 

Seek assurance from the Executive that the proposed savings proposals will not adversely affect outcomes for vulnerable children and the Ofsted rating that the Council has invested significant staff and financial resources to achieve 

Climate & Place Services 

Appendix 6 (savings) – pg 5 

CAP010 Household Waste Recycling Centres 

Due to significant member and public concerns about the potential closures, recommend that Scrutiny Committee Climate & Place  receive quarterly updates to scrutinise the potential options to deliver this savings proposal (CAP 010) and any adverse impacts on local communities  

To scrutinise adverse impacts on local communities 

Significant and high risk savings proposals 

Scrutiny Committee Climate & Place to receive quarterly updates on the delivery of savings proposals CAP 001, CAP 002, CAP 007, CAP 012, CAP 036 together with scrutinising any adverse impacts on local communities and partners  

To be assured on the delivery of the proposed savings and scrutinise any adverse impacts on local communities 

CAP 027 Transport policy post 

Recommend that the Executive withdraws the proposed saving CAP 027 (£70k) in order to ensure the Council can continue to adequately bid for external funding for its infrastructure and to fund  he target saving instead from savings to Local Community Networks support costs 

Concerns about lost opportunity for bidding for infrastructure funding  

CAP032 reduction in highways maintenance 

Recommend that the Executive withdraws the proposed saving CAP 032 (£ 330k) in order to continue existing levels of highways maintenance and to fund the target saving instead from Local Community Networks support costs 

Concerns over impacts to local communities and mitigate risks of reactive costs occuring 

Resources & Corporate Services 

No recommendations 

Strategy Workforce & Localities 

SWL 001 

Recommend that the Executive withdraws the proposed saving SWL 001 

SWL010 Reduction of Scrutiny committees  

SWL 006 Combine Audit and C&G Committee 

SWL007 reduction in  size of some committees 

SWL012 - reduction of some SRAs 

Recommend that the Executive withdraws the proposed saving SWL 010 in order to continue existing 5 scrutiny committees and support the increased frequency of their meetings and to fund the target saving and any additional costs from Local Community Networks support costs 

Recommend that the Executive withdraws the proposed saving SWL 006 whilst the council is in a financial emergency and completing the further review work on the Constitution 

Recommend that the size of each of the Planning Committees and Scrutiny Committees remains at 13 members 

The proposed reduction in some SRAs is not in line with the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendations and this saving proposal should be withdrawn and not be recommended to Council on 20 February  

Significant concerns over this proposal especially during a financial emergency when greater scrutiny needed.  

Concerns that this will adversely impact on Council’s governance framework 

Concerns that reducing size of  scrutiny and planning committees will adversely the democratic and  local representation. 

Concern regarding this proposal as impacting on democracy.  

Local Community Networks 

Recommend that the Executive reduce the council’s budget for supporting Local Community Networks and instead share the costs of supporting these meetings with parish and town councils 

Views that some of the costs to the Council of  supporting the LCNs could be used to fund other savings proposals 

HRA Budget 2024/25 Proposals 

No recommendations