Agenda item

The Director of Resources provided a brief outline of the report and drew Members’ attention to the three appendices attached:

·                 Appendix 1 – those savings recommended for approval by Members;

·                 Appendix 2 – Members are asked to identify any of these savings they wish to put forward;

·                 Appendix 3 – savings not currently recommended for approval.

Councillor C Swain proposed that the Committee agree the savings options set out in Appendix 1.  This was duly seconded.  It was noted that all matters were for recommending to the Council for final approval. 

In response to questions regarding the process undertaken to identify the savings detailed, the Director of Resources advised that Directors had worked with Tier 2 Managers to identify savings (with an initial savings target set at 10%), these had then been through a peer challenge, reviewed by the Corporate Leadership Team and Finance Working Group prior to presentation to this Committee.

The Director of Resources provided some further detail in response to questions about some of the savings set out in Appendix 1.  The Chairman then put the proposal in the name of Councillor Swain to the Committee and this was duly agreed.

For Appendix 2, Members were reminded that they needed to identify any items they wished to come forward as savings for consideration by the Council.  The Chairman advised the Committee they would go through each of the saving items in turn.  It was noted that items 2, 3 and 5 did not need consideration as they were being taken forward via other means e.g. through Fees and Charges.  The Group Manager - Customers provided an update in respect of item 5 and it was duly agreed that this item be removed from consideration.

Members discussed each of the items in detail, asking questions and receiving further information from Officers in response.  The following items were agreed to be identified as a saving and taken forward for consideration by the Council.  Further detail of each item was included in Appendix 2 to the report.

There was some discussion regarding Appendix 3 to the report and in response Members were provided with additional information from Directors and Officers.  The contents of the report was noted by the Committee

During this item of business and following her declaration at the meeting on 10 November, Councillor Mrs Channer left and returned to the chamber when certain savings items were being discussed.

RECOMMENDED

(i)               That the saving options at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(ii)              That the following saving options as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be implemented: