Issue - meetings

Councillor Patel submits a report seeking approval to a Budget Strategy for 2001/02 to 2002/03.

Councillor Patel submitted a report asking the Cabinet to consider proposed Departmental Revenue Strategies for 2001/02 to 2002/03 recommended by each Lead Member following consultation with the public, voluntary sector, trades unions and the Scrutiny Committees.   It was noted that the strategies were part of the Council’s agreed three year budget strategy which contained commitments to restrict tax rises for 2001/02 and 2002/03 to the amounts implied by Government settlements, provided for additional money for Education and Social Services and identified budget reductions required for 2001/02 to 2002/03.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the results of consultation as described in the supporting information in the report, be noted;

(2)that each Departmental Revenue Strategy, be approved;

(3)that consultation begin on the proposed use of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, for a social regeneration programme;

(4)that an additional budget allocation for the Education Department in 2001/02 of £725,000 to fund the teachers' pay award, be approved;

(5)that, subject to consultation with partners, the use of £715,000 of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund in 2001/2002 be used to fund social inclusion schemes within schools, and key partners be recommended that a similar sum is used in 2002/03 and 2003/04; and

(6)that subject to approval of the budget by Council on 7 March 2001, Directors be authorised to take action to achieve any savings identified in the strategies for the year 2002/03.