Agenda item

(Mr A Wood, Head of Financial Management and Mr D Honey, Finance Manager CED were present for this item)

(1)              Mr Wood presented a paper which updated the Committee on the autumn budget statement report to Cabinet on 17 September 2007 and any later announcements by government departments.  In addition it provided Members of the Committee with an opportunity to consider suggested service pressures and to develop savings proposals for the Directorate.

(2)              All Policy Overview Committees were being asked to consider what they would recommend should be done if the County Council had to deliver 1%, 2% or 3% of savings on the assumption that efficiency savings will be required. 

(3)              The Leader, Cabinet Members and officers answered questions from Members on issues including:-

·               Gateways – whether there was any scope within Gateways, which were an excellent facility, to be subject to possible ongoing minor cutbacks if necessary.

·               The impact of Kent TV on the amount of paperwork sent out and produced by the County Council.  In relation to rationalising the amount of publications that KCC produces there was now a dedicated post in Corporate Communications to look at this particular issue.  A report on progress and potential saving should be available in 6-9 months time. 

·               Accommodation savings at County Hall resulting from increased hot-desking and home working by staff

·               In relation to the 3% efficiency targets it was confirmed that negotiations with government were around the ability of authorities to carry forward any additional efficiencies above the 3% to count towards the following year’s efficiency savings.

·                It was explained that the new pressure figure on pay of £2.8m for 2010/11 as set out on page B2:3 was an estimate for pay award of £0.8m and a possible re-evaluation of pension fund contributions of £2m, to increase the employer contribution.  Confirmation that this re-evaluation would not be required was anticipated but could not be guaranteed.

·               A note on the Kent Renewal Scheme will be provided.

·               It was emphasised that Members should receive a copy of the draft Budget in January before it was issued at the press conference.

·               When the mobile Gateway was sited outside County Hall it was noticeable that there was nothing on the outside of the Gateway to explain what it was.

·               Concern was expressed that by using advertising on Kent TV and in Kent on Sunday (Kent Highways) KCC information was being delivered to a more limited audience.  It was important to focus on giving people information in the way that they wanted to receive it.

·               It was suggested that Members should be part of the discussion on the new Corporate Communications Unit.  The Leader undertook to share the job description for the Head of Corporate Communications with Mrs Dean and Dr Eddy.

·               Health inequalities should be one of KCC’s top priorities.

·               In response to a statement that Kent was the 7^th largest borrowing authority it was stated that this was to do with a number of factors including its massive growth agenda.

·               It was agreed that there would be an item to the next meeting of the Corporate Policy Overview Committee on proposals for Corporate Communications over the next five years.

(4)              RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the national and local context within which this Medium Term Plan would be set be noted; and

(b)          the comments made by Members as set out above be noted

(c)        there would be an report to the next meeting of the Corporate                Policy Overview Committee on proposals for Corporate     Communications over the next five years.