Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Lead Member for Finance.

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Member for Finance which provided an update on the finance of Dorset Council and the development of a balanced budget for 2019/20.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, as the Lead Member for Finance, explained the development of the first budget to reflect the combined position of forming the new Dorset Council.  He also summarised the biggest challenges facing the budget including Adult Social Care and Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), whilst continuing to provide consistent service levels and front line service.  Further detail would be provided at the next meeting on 11 February 2019, and the Shadow Council would consider the budget at its meeting on 20 February 2019.

A question was asked about the savings being made in Adult Social Care and Children’s SEN when there was continuing overspend.  It was clarified that savings being made in these areas were part of ongoing transformation work within Dorset County Council to improve the way services operated.

Decisions

1. That the high-level budget proposals be reviewed by the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 January 2019.

2. That the detailed budget proposals be reviewed by the Budget Working Group and considered by the Shadow Executive Committee on 11 February 2019.

Reason for Decision

To enable the development of budget proposals for 2019/20 that would set the foundations to creating a financially sustainable council.