To approve the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2015/2016 including the setting of fees and charges for Council services.

(i)             that all Members and the Overview and Scrutiny Board consider the provisional Revenue Budget 2015/16.  The Overview and Scrutiny Board (through its Priorities and Resources Review Panel) will consider certain specific issues during January 2015 and report back to the Mayor and the Council on 5 February 2015 on the outcomes of its deliberations and stakeholder representations;

(ii)            that the Chief Finance Officer be given authority to amend these targets for any technical adjustments necessary between services and within the overall envelope of funding in agreement with the Mayor; and

(iii)      that the Chief Finance Officer report to Council on 5 February 2015 on the implications for 2015/2016 and later years as a result of these targets currently being considered and in light of the final settlement which is expected in late January or early February.

To enable the consultation process on the proposed Revenue Budget for 2015/2016 to begin.

Alternative options were not considered.

This decision to publish the savings proposals will come into force on 4 December 2014, so as to commence the formal six week consultation process on the budget.

The Mayor has announced his provisional budget for 2015/2016 (as available at www.torbay.gov.uk/budget) to enable the consultation process for scrutinising the budget proposals. 

The Council has been through a detailed consultation on the budget savings proposals.  Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Board examined the proposals in detail and stakeholders and residents have had the opportunity to make representations on the proposals.  The Mayor considered all of the responses received and the final saving proposals were drawn up after consideration of the various reports presented to Members.

The approved budget savings proposals form the basis of the 2015/16 budget and will support the council in delivering its key aims and objectives.

The prospective budget for 2015/16 has been developed on key principles that reflect the priorities of the Council of securing a cleaner Torbay and more prosperous economy, whilst, as far as possible, protecting Children’s and Adult Services. 

Members have already had to consider a range of savings proposals and a number of difficult decisions have been made.  This has been due to the unprecedented financial challenges faced by Torbay Council.  It was because of these challenges the Mayor proposed a 2 year savings plan in February 2014 and brought forward the consultation process on the budget to ensure all Members and stakeholders have had time to discuss, debate and respond to the proposals well in advance of their implementation.

The Mayor wishes to hear the views of all Members of the Council, the Overview and Scrutiny Board and external stakeholders together with specific service users on his proposals before finally recommending a budget to the Council on 5 February 2015.

None