Agenda item

1. Mr Oakford introduced the report.

2. Further to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       Where agency staff were being used, the aim was to employ KCC staff and reduce reliance on agency staff in some areas of work.

·       There was duplication of some roles within the organisation and work was being undertaken to consolidate the management of these roles. The efficiency of the span and layers of reporting structures was also being considered.

·       District councils as council tax collection authorities had been incentivised to optimise the collection of council tax. It was proposed that this financial support to collection authorities be removed in the budget. Concerns were raised that this could affect the effective collection of council tax and an increase in ‘bad debts’. However, it was recognised that the effective collection of council tax was also in the interest of the collection authorities.

·       In the event there were surplus funds, reserves would need to be replenished before any new spending would be considered.

3. RESOLVED that the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee:

a) NOTE the administration’s draft revenue budgets including responses to consultation

b) SUGGEST any changes which should be made to the administration’s draft budget proposals related to the Cabinet Committee’s portfolio area before the draft is considered by Cabinet on 30th January 2025 and presented to Full County Council on 13 February 2025.

5) Mr Brady asked for it to be recorded in the minutes that they declined to note the report.