How we have identified our budget proposals

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How we have identified our budget proposals

Balancing the budget is a challenging exercise, so it is important that our proposals are informed by some guiding themes. We have developed our proposals within these themes but would welcome your feedback on whether or not you feel these themes represent the right approach to take.

Smart use of resources: We will always consider what technical changes we can make to the way that we work that will have no impact on services quality.

Protecting the vulnerable: We will put the necessary resources in place to support those who depend on our care and support the most.

Investing to save: We will invest in local services and support mechanisms that are more cost effective, as well as making help available at an earlier stage, supporting people to avoid the need for more intensive support.

More efficient ways to deliver for our residents: We will challenge the way that we work and rethink approaches and processes to be as effective as possible.

Working together: We will continue to build on the strong relations we have with communities and partners across the borough to maximise the impact we all have.

Generating income: We will explore opportunities to invest to increase our income and ensure that appropriate services are charged for.

Prioritising our resources: Given the scale of the budget challenge we face, we will consider where we can reduce specific services to invest elsewhere.

Across all these themes, we will continue to engage with the public on an ongoing basis. Many proposals are at an early stage of development and we are working in a transparent way to set out the challenge and take feedback on outline proposals. We need to ensure we have a strong budget plan for the next two years, and also plan ahead and use temporary resources to help us take a medium-term approach.


Cabinet portfolios

Cabinet is made up of eight portfolio holders, each of whom have responsibility for a specific range of Council services. They have developed the proposals for balancing the budget, which we are now consulting. Final proposals will be considered by full Council, along with consultation feedback, in February 2023.

  • Councillor Louise Gittins - Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Poverty and Wellbeing
  • Councillor Karen Shore - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport
  • Councillor Val Armstrong - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
  • Councillor Richard Beacham - Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration
  • Councillor Matt Bryan - Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Change
  • Councillor Robert Cernik - Cabinet Member for Children and Families
  • Councillor Paul Donovan - Cabinet Member for Workforce, Equality and Democracy
  • Councillor Carol Gahan - Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal

How we have identified our budget proposals

Balancing the budget is a challenging exercise, so it is important that our proposals are informed by some guiding themes. We have developed our proposals within these themes but would welcome your feedback on whether or not you feel these themes represent the right approach to take.

Smart use of resources: We will always consider what technical changes we can make to the way that we work that will have no impact on services quality.

Protecting the vulnerable: We will put the necessary resources in place to support those who depend on our care and support the most.

Investing to save: We will invest in local services and support mechanisms that are more cost effective, as well as making help available at an earlier stage, supporting people to avoid the need for more intensive support.

More efficient ways to deliver for our residents: We will challenge the way that we work and rethink approaches and processes to be as effective as possible.

Working together: We will continue to build on the strong relations we have with communities and partners across the borough to maximise the impact we all have.

Generating income: We will explore opportunities to invest to increase our income and ensure that appropriate services are charged for.

Prioritising our resources: Given the scale of the budget challenge we face, we will consider where we can reduce specific services to invest elsewhere.

Across all these themes, we will continue to engage with the public on an ongoing basis. Many proposals are at an early stage of development and we are working in a transparent way to set out the challenge and take feedback on outline proposals. We need to ensure we have a strong budget plan for the next two years, and also plan ahead and use temporary resources to help us take a medium-term approach.


Cabinet portfolios

Cabinet is made up of eight portfolio holders, each of whom have responsibility for a specific range of Council services. They have developed the proposals for balancing the budget, which we are now consulting. Final proposals will be considered by full Council, along with consultation feedback, in February 2023.

  • Councillor Louise Gittins - Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Poverty and Wellbeing
  • Councillor Karen Shore - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport
  • Councillor Val Armstrong - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
  • Councillor Richard Beacham - Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration
  • Councillor Matt Bryan - Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Change
  • Councillor Robert Cernik - Cabinet Member for Children and Families
  • Councillor Paul Donovan - Cabinet Member for Workforce, Equality and Democracy
  • Councillor Carol Gahan - Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal