Issue - meetings

To consider the reports of the Cabinet and to receive answers to any questions asked on those reports as follows:

a)    Reports of Cabinet – Matters which require a decision; and

b)    Report of Cabinet – Summary of decisions taken.

The Council had before it a detailed report on the 2021/22 Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan Update 2022-24, which Cabinet had considered on 30 January 2020 and which the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet were recommending for adoption by the Council.

All Councillors had received or had access to the full report and Appendices considered by the Cabinet on 4 February 2020.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and moved the recommendation as set out in paragraph 1 of the report; this was seconded by Mr A I Hardman. The Leader thanked all those involved in producing the budget over a short period of time. This budget built on the sound financial base maintained throughout the last financial year whereby even in the face of a serious and sustained health emergency and despite the issues associated with the pandemic, a small underspend at the end of year outturn had been predicted. The Council had also set aside additional expenditure of £80m which had been matched by Government Grant to do whatever was needed to proactively respond to issues associated with the Covid pandemic. The net budget of £350.2m had been set against the back-drop of rising income, albeit not as fast as expected due to the impact of the pandemic on the Council Tax base, and continued adult and social care pressures.

The Leader added that the budget sought to do three key things. Firstly, it aimed to protect the most vulnerable members of society providing further resources for demand-led Adult Social Care (a rise of £11m) and Children’s Social Care (a rise of £7.7m). This was on top of previous budget increases and now accounted for 70% of the overall budget.

Secondly, investment in facilities that the public had identified as of most need including tacking congestion, roads and pavement improvements and public transport. This year’s Viewpoint Survey had also identified flood defence and access to the countryside as key issues for the Council to address. It was therefore proposed to continue with the £10m cutting congestion programme to benefit Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Evesham and the A38 junction at Upton, continue the £200k investment in bus services and invest a further £6m to improve roads and £4m on pavements which would provide a high quality road network for all users. A further £2.5m would be provided for flood mitigation and highways drainage and £500k for the Bewdley flood defence scheme. £2.5m would be invested in LED street lighting. 150k trees would be planted over the next five years. The capital budget for public rights of way and access to the countryside would be more than doubled with £100k set aside for maintenance and revenue.

Thirdly, the budget sought to support recovery, working with the LEP, Midlands Connect and district councils. It sought to replenish the Open for Business reserves, support the roll out of Superfast Broadband, build on the success of Malvern Hills Science Park and Worcester Six development as part of the next generation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2259