express briefing @ 8
The Council Finances 2014-15 to 2016-17 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 4 March 2014 • Council tax remains frozen for fourth year running • Councils now able to retain proportion of business rates • Council spends £930m gross on services, met from £646m fees, specific grants and charges, £155m revenue support grant and business rates top up, £50m retained business rates, £79m council tax
Budget 2014/15 – 2016/17 • Business plans developed covering three years • Targeted savings for most services of 9%, 16% and 11% in years 2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17 respectively • Reduced levels of savings agreed for Children’s and Adult Services • Corporate projects developed to deliver additional savings and achieve balanced budget over the 3 year period
How we’re saving money… • • • • •
Management reform Corporate landlord Sharing facilities Channel shift Agile working
But also, investing for the future… Investment is a key part of the budget strategy: • Investing in employees • Investing in service delivery • Investing in Sandwell
Issues to be addressed over the next 3 years • Welfare Reform changes (Universal Credit) • Superannuation deficit • Reintegration of services and staff previously seconded to Transform Sandwell • Social care funding review • Linkages with the Third Sector • 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/Expre