The Council Finances 2014-15 to 2016-17

Cllr Steve ElingDeputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic

Resources Stuart Kellas

Director of Strategic ResourcesMelanie Dudley

Director of Improvement and Efficiency

express briefing @ 8

Council agreed budget 4 March 2014• Council tax remains frozen for fourth year

running• Councils now able to retain proportion of

business rates• Council spends £930m gross on services,

met from £646m fees, specific grants and charges, £155m revenue support grant and business rates top up, £50m retained business rates, £79m council tax

Budget 2014/15 – 2016/17• Business plans developed covering three

years• Targeted savings for most services of 9%,

16% and 11% in years 2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17 respectively

• Reduced levels of savings agreed for Children’s and Adult Services

• Corporate projects developed to deliver additional savings and achieve balanced budget over the 3 year period

How we’re saving money…

• Management reform• Corporate landlord• Sharing facilities• Channel shift• Agile working

But also, investing for the future…

Investment is a key part of the budget strategy:

• Investing in employees• Investing in service delivery• Investing in Sandwell

Issues to be addressed over the next 3 years• Welfare Reform changes (Universal Credit)• Superannuation deficit• Reintegration of services and staff previously

seconded to Transform Sandwell• Social care funding review • Linkages with the Third Sector• Updated public expenditure details • Generating income

Next Steps

• The full report is available on CMIS and on Sandwell Trends express briefings page, www.sandwelltrends.info/themedpages/ExpressBriefings