Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services setting out budget proposals for the Recreation, Heritage, Countryside and Rural Affairs services for 2021/22 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Directors of Corporate Services – Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the 2021/22 revenue budget for cultural and community services.

It was confirmed that there were no new savings proposals being brought forward within the report and that the 2021/22 budget formally removed the Transformation to 2021 (T21) savings as had previously been agreed. Members noted the range of services provided within the department and that the majority of these were largely dependent on income generation. A list of T21 savings targets was presented and it was noted that each CCBS target had been achieved on time and, in some cases, early.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

• The revised budget included some one-off additions where the cost of change was being used to support savings programmes (as referred to in paragraph 31 of the report).
• That financial loss as a result of the Covid pandemic was being managed corporately and not via departments.
• That the car parking income at Country Parks had seen a slight increase at times throughout the pandemic – at around 15%. Memberships and admissions generally were lower than under normal circumstances.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee support the recommendations being made to the Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage, Countryside and Rural Affairs as below:

To approve for submission to the Leader and the Cabinet:

i.              The revised revenue budget for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 2.

ii.            The summary revenue budget for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 2.