Issue - items at meetings - Value for Money - Phase Two

Report of the Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).

1.       That the continued progress of the Value for Money Programme be noted.

23.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Finance & Resources, concerning phase two of the Value for Money programme. The report updated the Member on the council’s programme for ensuring value for money across all its services (for copy see minute book).

23.2    The Cabinet Member drew attention to the challenges that the council, and other organisations, currently faced financially and noted that the council would see its current grant allocation either frozen or reduced while, at the same time, the demand for services would continue to increase.

23.3    The Cabinet Member pointed out that against the above background, the council required a robust response and planning which could help preserve the delivery of key services to the most vulnerable people in the city. She noted that officers were carrying out a council-wide review of all services to assist the city with finding savings, whilst also positively challenging the way it provides services to ensure they were delivered in the most cost effective and efficient way. She further noted that officers had already a number of other work-streams that would support this programme and help deliver better services, better value and a better customer experience.

23.4    The Opposition Spokesperson noted the formula grant detailed in page 20 of the report, which was assumed to be 0% for the next 3 years. He accepted that whatever political party that came into legislation in the next year would face a challenging task in terms of the savings proposed and indicated in the report.

23.6    RESOLVED - That the continued progress of the Value for Money Programme be noted.