Decision details

That Cabinet approves the release of its draft budget proposals for 2020/21 for consultation purposes.

That Cabinet approves that the consultation period, including the opportunity to present alternative proposals that have been assessed for Future Generations and equality implications, ends on 31st January 2020.

That Cabinet receives a verbal update at the meeting on the provisional settlement from Welsh Government, noting that the draft budget proposals are predicated on a 1% increase in Aggregate External Financing (AEF) together with teachers pay and pension increases fully funded by Welsh Government.

That Cabinet recognises unavoidable pressures of some £9.742 million that need to be provided for within the 2020/21 budget.

That Cabinet confirms its intention to fully fund all pay related pressures insofar as they impact schools and to accommodate significant demand pressures caused in particular by increasing numbers of looked after children and pupils with additional learning needs.

That Cabinet proposes a Council Tax rise of 4.95% for financial year 2020/21.

That Cabinet recognises that the budget proposal remains un-balanced at this stage. There is a remaining savings gap of £1.178m to address.