Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Resources and the Director of Transformation and Partnerships which provided an update on the development of the 2019/20 budget and the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP(9)) 2019/20 to 2022/23, reflecting upon the content of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Budget published on 29 October 2018 and the provisional Local Government Finance settlement published on 13 December 2018.  The report also considered the outcomes of the MTFP (9), Budget Consultation process (for copy see file of minutes).

Cabinet members commented on the scale of the cuts that had already been made, and that despite reports austerity continued with further significant savings to be found. The unfairness in the distribution of the funding continued for Durham in comparison to other authorities, and this impacted on its core spending power. Although there had been notification of some additional funding this was not enough and the end to austerity was needed. The pressures this was having on all service areas particularly children’s services, and for the most vulnerable was emphasised. They would continue to lobby government on this.

Resolved:

That the recommendations contained in the report be approved.