The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the report which enabled the Committee to consider feedback and outcomes from the Budget Workshops which had been held in recent months. The workshops enabled officer and member liaison on proposed budget options, to facilitate discussion and allow direction to be obtained on further analysis required. The Budget Workshops also provided an opportunity for alternative proposals to be considered.

Engagement with local residents and businesses had been undertaken as part of the budget setting process. The outcome of this consultation for Leisure and Library Services was included at Appendices 4 and 5 and would be presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 15 February 2023, alongside the outcomes of the other service-specific consultations.

The Chair thanked officers for their hard work in delivering the workshops and budget options and expressed that some options had been difficult to consider but acknowledged that officers had to bring a range of proposals to Members.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Budget Workshop feedback and outcomes, as detailed in Appendices 2 & 3, be reported to Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

(2)  the latest budget information provided to Policy and Resources Committee in January be noted.

(3)  the outcome of the public consultation for Leisure and Library Services as detailed in Appendices 4 & 5 to the report be noted.