Issue - meetings

(1)       Mr Gould advised that the Local Government Finance Settlement was still awaited but there were no significant changes to the Environment and Regeneration Budget assumptions which were set out in the Autumn Budget Statement in September 2007 and the Key assumptions remain, no increase in Government Formula Grant, Council Tax increase limited to a maximum of 5% per annum and the option to raise a precept on the Business Rate.  He drew Members attention to Paragraph 4 of the report headed “E&R Priorities for the Medium Term Plan”.

(2)       Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the Medium Term Plan and to consider the suggested service pressures for the Directorate.  They included the following:-

·                    In answer to what the assumed percentage pay rise was, Mr Gould advised that it was 2% across the Medium Term Draft Budget

·                    Page 1, paragraph 2.2 – in answer to how seriously the Directorate was taking the warning, Mr Gould advised that this was being taken very seriously and reflected that this was the first financial year that he could recall having to work within such tight limits.

·                    Members generally did not feel that they had adequate information at this stage to actually make suggestions around the areas and types of savings and efficiencies that they considered could realistically be achieved.

·                    In answer to how the measure of success or failure of the Kent Freedom Pass, Mr Wilkinson advised that he would be compiling a report which would cover; ensuring access to transport, ensuring a shift from car to bus, whether take up had been sufficient?, whether there had been a shift?  The question of whether the pilot was then extended will be addressed and looked at as a Kent wide initiative.

(3)       RESOLVED that the national and local context within which this MTFP was set and the Members comments be noted.