The Committee received a report which sought feedback on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2025/26 – 2028/29 for Corporate Policy Committee to consider on the 6 February 2025 ahead of the final approval of the 2025/26 budget at full Council on 26 February 2025.
The Committee provided scrutiny and comments in relation to
- Whether a reduction in pension cost contributions was realistic given that the local government pension scheme was re- evaluated every April and typically should keep line with the Consumer Price index (CPI).
- Why the 3% levy on traded services was being reversed.
- Concerns in respect of whether the funding staffing establishment model was sustainable as although investment would be increased next year, this would then be reduced over the following two years.
- Concerns around the proposed savings in service quality, particularly in the accommodation support offer for 16-25 young people.
- How did Cheshire East compare with other local authorities in terms of its spend per capita on children’s services.
- Welcomed the efforts being made in terms of recruitment and wrap around support to retain staff.
- Assurance sought around the tracking and visits for asylum seeking children post covid.
In response to a question raised in respect of the Youth Justice service contributions nearly doubling, officers stated that there was a split between the Youth Justice Service and safeguarding and that more details on the split would be provided in a written response.
RESOLVED (By Majority)
The Children and Families Committee
(a) Recommend to the Corporate Policy Committee, for their meeting on 6 February 2025, all proposals within Appendix A of the report, as related to the Committee’s responsibilities, for inclusion on the Council’s budget for 2025/26.
(b) Identify any further budget change proposals, as related to the Committee’s responsibilities, that could assist Corporate Policy Committee in presenting an overall balanced budget to Council for 2025/26.
(c) Note the capital growth items listed in Appendix B and the revenue implications noted in paragraph 23 of the report.
(d) Note the contents of Appendix C of the report – Provisional Local Government Settlement 2025/26 (Finance Sub Committee).
(e) Note the contents of Appendix D of the report – Council Tax benchmarking and scenarios (Finance Sub Committee) and consider what the impact of any requests for a change of Council Tax policy would be.