A report by the Interim Director of Finance provided the proposed Budget for 2013/14 and the projections for 2014/15 and 2015/16.  The Council had agreed the Council Tax Base for 2013/14 at its meeting on 28 January 2013 (Minute No. 98 refers). 

The Budget Council meeting was scheduled for 5 March 2013.  The Cabinet noted that the Council had to agree a Budget and set the level of Council Tax for 2013/14 by 10 March 2013.

Appended to the Interim Director’s report were four Appendices as follows:

• Appendix 1 – The Council’s Budget Projections for 2013/16
• Appendix 2 – An Under Budgeting Report
• Appendix 3 – Growth Submissions 2013/15
• Appendix 4 – Savings Proposed by the Chief Executive still to be Approved by the Cabinet/Council

Councillor P Davies introduced the Interim Director’s report and moved the Cabinet’s Budget proposals informing that the Cabinet’s Budget recommendations were the most challenging ever for the Authority.  It was being set against a background of unprecedented cuts in funding from the coalition Government, and required the Council to find savings of £109 million by 2016. This amounted to one-third of the Council’s total net budget.  The savings recommended total was around £42 million for the next year (2013/14).

Councillor P Davies reported as follows:

“While a small proportion of the budget challenge we face has been caused by financial mismanagement of the past, it is the disgraceful settlement Wirral has received from the coalition Government that has made cuts to services unavoidable. I did not come into politics to make cuts to vital local services, however, I have a duty as Council Leader to both set a legal budget and to protect, as far as possible, those who I was elected to serve.

I have been very clear that those with the broadest shoulders must bear the greatest burden which is why this budget begins with reducing the costs of running the Council.  We have cut senior management, procurement, marketing, IT and the costs of our buildings.  We have also worked closely with the Trade Unions to reduce the cost of some of our Terms and Conditions while remaining a Living Wage employer. Councillors must also make difficult choices and I firmly believe that it is right to save £275,000 by holding elections once every four years and reviewing the number of meetings and committees held.

My key priority for this budget for 2013/14 has been to protect front-line services and the most vulnerable members of society in Wirral as far as we are able. I have today announced that:-

No Children’s Centre, Library or One Stop Shop will close

Pensioners will continue to receive a discount on their Council Tax bills and £100,000 will be invested in enhanced advice services to mitigate the impact of benefit cuts

Additional funding of £5m will be invested in vulnerable families and we will ensure support for victims of domestic violence continues

£1m of capital funding will be invested in a new state-of-the art Youth Zone and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 202