express briefing @ 8
The Council Finances 2013-14 to 2015-16 Cllr Steve Eling Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Resources Stuart Kellas Director of Strategic Resources Melanie Dudley Director of Improvement and Efficiency
Council agreed budget 5 March 2013 • Council tax remains frozen for third year running • Councils now able to retain proportion of business rates • Council spends £952m gross on services, met from £651m fees, specific grants and charges, £177m revenue support grant and business rates top up, £47m retained business rates, £77m council tax
Budget 2012/13 – 2014/15 • Business plans developed covering three years • Targeted saving of 5%, 9% and 10% in years 2013/14, 2014/15, and 2015/16 respectively • Flexibility over 3 years • Encouraged to bring forward restructures in order that employees have some form of stability • Business plans produced on gross basis to encourage consideration of income maximisation as well as expenditure reduction
Issues to be addressed over the 3 years: • Welfare Reform changes • Council Tax changes • Integration of Sandwell Homes and Public Health • Social care funding review • Updated public expenditure details • Generating income
Next Steps • The full report is available on CMIS and on Sandwell Trends express briefings page, www.sandwelltrends.info/themedpages/ ExpressBriefings • Next Express Briefing @ 8 on 17 April – Overview of the Census