Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services advised that the Council’s income had changed dramatically and the extent of the Government support was not yet known although the Council had reserves to cover this.  He noted that the summary at Table 1, point 8 listed the changes as lost income and additional expenditure.  He also noted that Table 5 at paragraph 16 had two typographical errors which had been corrected.  He said that officers were working to close the budget gap for 2021/22 which was due to the drop in Council income. 

The Section 151 Officer reminded Members that the figures had been updated since those presented at the July meeting.  She also noted the predicted future assumptions of income per service at point 14 and said that unlike many other councils, SSDC was not having to consider a S.114 notice.

The Scrutiny Chairman thanked the Section 151 Officer for attending their meeting earlier in the week and answering Members questions regarding the report.  She had clarified that details of the Governments financial settlement for Councils during the pandemic was not yet known and there were sufficient reserves to cover the shortfall without reducing them to zero.  Business Rates pooling arrangements were not yet clear for future years.

Members thanked the Section 151 Officer and her staff for maintaining the budget during the Covid-19 pandemic

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to note the recommendations of the report.