Decision details

The Committee received a report on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which set out how the Council would resource the achievement of the Council Plan, from Nikki Wood-Hill, Lead Finance Business Partner.

The Finance Sub-committee approved the financial assumptions underpinning the current MTFS at their meeting in June 2024, with a further funding update received in September 2024. It was noted the report had been published prior to the Chancellor’s budget on 30 October 2024, and the impact of increase in wages and national insurance had not been factored in.

The Committee were updated that, in terms of the MTFS for Adults, Health and Integration, most of the savings would be delivered via the Transformation Plan, and the details if this would be provided at Adults and Health Committee in January 2025.

The Committee were updated that Cheshire East Council was looking into alternative options for the provision of Extra Care and school meals. Cheshire East Council had not entered into formal consultation about this and would not be able to do so until the current provision had been withdrawn. It was noted that if the service was to be withdrawn, then an interim solution would be looked in to for the two Extra Care facilities in Cheshire East, which would cover the period from January to April 2025, following which a permanent solution would be in place. A formal consultation regarding Extra Care would take place between January and April 2025. It was noted that if any individual had a social care assessment that stated they required a meal adult social care would find alternative ways of meeting their needs assessment.

RESOLVED:

That the Adults and Health Committee:

1. Note the progress to date on the development of the MTFS for 2025-29.

2. Note that officers will continue to challenge draft proposals and develop further proposals in consultation with Members prior to approval by Council.

3. Note that Committees will be presented with the opportunity to review the full set of financial proposals, designed to achieve a balanced budget, as part of their January cycle of meetings prior to recommendations being made to Council for approval.