Agenda item

To consider a report which seeks feedback from the Committee, as a consultee, on the development of the Cheshire East Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 to 2026/27 in relation to the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Committee considered a report which sought feedback from the Committee, as a consultee, on the development of the Cheshire East Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 to 2026/27 in relation to the Committee’s responsibilities.

With regard to Item 57 in the revenue proposals: Reducing the Cost of Democracy, the Executive Director of Corporate Services advised that the proposals related to the abolition of the Public Rights of Way Committee and the transfer of its functions to the Highways and Transport Committee, and the reduction in the number of planning committees from three to two.

The following comments, questions and responses were made in relation to the Corporate Services revenue proposals within the MTFS:

Item 52 (Remove Commercial Workstream Income Target), a question was asked about why the income target relating to Adults services was not achievable.

Officers advised that this was a workstream within the Brighter Futures transformation programme which had now come to an end.

Item 55 (Pension Costs Adjustment), with regard to the reduction in pension contributions by the Council, the Chair expressed his thanks to those members who sat on the Cheshire Fund Pension Committee.

Item 57 (Reducing the Cost of Democracy), some members expressed concern about the proposal to reduce the number of committees.

The Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, Councillor C Browne, confirmed that the Committee had the capacity to absorb the functions of the PROW Committee. He added that the proposals on the reduction in committees had received the highest level of support during the consultation.

Officers advised that the proposals would be considered by the Constitution Working Group and would require full Council approval. There was therefore an opportunity for further member involvement.

In relation to proposals to freeze members’ allowances for the next year, it was suggested that Special Responsibility Allowances and the roles of chairs and vice-chairs should also be considered.

Officers advised that any proposals in relation to members’ allowances would be for consideration by the Independent Remuneration Panel and would require full Council approval.

A question was asked about why the agenda for the meeting had not been printed on the same recycled paper as was used generally in Council buildings.

The Director of Governance and Compliance undertook to provide a written response.

Items 58 and 59 (Elections Act 2022 Additional Costs), concern was expressed that there could be a late surge in applications for voter IDs for the local elections in May, and assurances were sought that the Council had the capacity to cope with the demand.

Item 63 (review of leadership and management, and MARS), caution was urged about how MARS was applied, given the current challenges around recruitment and retention.

Officers advised that MARS was a small but useful tool which was less costly to the Council than redundancy. Each case was considered from a business case perspective.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the Committee notes:

(a)  The year-end forecast outturn position for 2022/23 (Appendix 1);

(b)  The financial context and proposals contained within the Executive Summary of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS report Annex C, Section 1);

(c)  Revenue Grant Funding (Appendix 4); and

(d)  Earmarked Reserves (Appendix 5).

2.    the Committee’s feedback on the proposals within the MTFS, as related to the Committee’s responsibilities, be provided to support and advise Council in fulfilling its responsibilities to approve a balanced budget for 2023/24, in the following areas:

(a)  Revenue Proposals (Details are at Appendix 2); and

(b)  Capital Programme (Appendix 3).