This report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AD”) covers initial draft Department of Place budget proposals for consultation pertaining to theRegeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and for consultation with the public, interested parties, staff and Trade Unions for 2019-2021.

Recommended –

That Members of the Committee note the budget proposals and provide comment to inform the consultation process.

(Steve Hartley - 01274 434748)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AD”) covered initial draft Department of Place budget proposals for consultation pertaining to the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and for consultation with the public, interested parties, staff and Trade Unions for 2019-2021.

The Strategic Director, Place was present and gave a synopsis of the rely. He explained that since 2010, the Council had approved £262m of budget savings and cuts, and had invested £56m into priority areas largely to help cover the impact of demographic growth. This financial plan identified a further £33.4m on top of the £262m. In response, this report was the refresh of the financial component of the Council Plan 2016 to 2020 and aligned resources with priorities. Due to new and emerging pressures and changes to funding assumptions, together with targeted investment, the revised gap had been refreshed. The plan showed a balanced budget for 2019/20 after using reserves but the gap had risen to £28.8m for 2020/21. In the medium term, the effect of these changes represented a structural gap of the order of £20m-£25m which would require corrective action.

Following introduction, a question and answer session ensued:

·         Were there proactive considerations towards income generating?

o   There were a large number of properties that commanded income on a commercial basis which included museums, the receipt of grants and the increasing of charges through partnership working;

·         Was there access to alternative funding?

o   Yes this was also on an increasing level such as directing people within own respective communities to take responsibility of certain measures in order to avoid costs. This entailing the cleaning of own streets and the Council was doing the best it could for the city;

·         What was the rationale behind larger cuts to services in comparison to less cuts to other services?

o   Trailing back to 2017/18, large proportionate cuts made previously had lesser cuts made more recently but following a number of years of cuts there was an equal balance of cuts made throughout Council services;

·         Due to the ever-increasing number of young people in Bradford and the cuts made, how did the Council expect to assist young people for the future?

o   The Youth Service budget was £2 million and the Council was committed to meet its statutory obligations towards youth services. There were other factors being considered in this area such as further collaboration with schools. Overall, the whole concept of delivering vital services had changed throughout the country in response to cuts but all cities were concentrated in pulling services together in providing joint services to its citizens. Albeit the fact that many Councils had reduced its Youth Service provisions significantly in comparison to Bradford; and,

·         What had been in response to the statement of the Police who had stressed on the fact that the Youth Service was in desperate need of significant further funding?

o   The absolute need in reorganising the Youth Service had been recognised and the current flow of services would be delivered through Welfare Advice and Customer Services;

o   The Strategic Director of Corporate Services took a holistic view of Council services with proposals of more details of individual strands and a lot more was ongoing behind the scenes that had not been included in the report.

Resolution –

(1)       That officers be thanked for the report.

(2)       That the comments raised by the Committee be considered as   part of the budget proposal consultation process.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place