express briefing @ 8
The Council Finances 2012-13 to 2013-14 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 6 March 2012 • Council tax remains frozen for second year running • Housing rents will not increase in 2012/13 • Council spends £895m gross on services, met from £618m fees, specific grants and charges, £176m formula grant and £101m council tax
Budget 2012/13 – 2014/15 • Business plans developed covering three years • Targeted saving of 10%, 5% and 5% in years 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 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: • Localisation of council tax benefit (April 2013) • Local business rates (April 2013) • Return of Public Health to Council control (April 2013) • Social care funding review outcomes (Spring/Summer 2013) • Updated public expenditure details (Oct/Nov 2012)
Next Steps • The full report is available on CMIS and on Sandwell Trends express briefings page, www.sandwelltrends.info/themedpages/ExpressBriefings
(please note that the URL is case sensitive) • Next Express Briefing @ 8 on Government’s Budget and implications for Sandwell 25 April 2012