URL: https://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8165

Decision Maker: Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: It was moved by Councillor Mustoe, seconded by Councillor Ashton and   RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET:   1.  That the following areas be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 24 September 2025:   a)  a credible risk management process be developed (RAG rated) and that it be presented to the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny at a later date b)  that Cabinet’s principle to protect core budgets be removed c)  rather than a three-year balanced Medium Term Financial Plan be prepared, that Cabinet bring forward a balanced budget for Year 1 and that Years 2 and 3 be unbalanced and that the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee be engaged at an early stage (March 2026) in the development of balancing years 2 and 3 d)  that the Council Business Plan be scrutinised by the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee e)  that the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee be asked to identify and review certain services (statutory and non-statutory) for zero based budget reviews f)  that the Portfolio Holder signs off all information presented to the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee g)  that the scope of an external commission be developed in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee h)  that the Portfolio Holder for Resources be invited to provide a report to the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its 22 October 2025 meeting on the concerns raised by the Committee relating to the assumptions on pay inflation and interest rate forecasts.   It was moved by Councillor Donnithorne, seconded by Councillor Mustoe and   RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET:   i)  That the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee be provided with the detail of service budget envelopes and outputs and modelling and be provided with initial impact assessments for each budget saving proposal in advance of its formal meeting on 22 October 2025.   It was moved by Councillor Donnithorne, seconded by Councillor Parsonage and   RESOLVED: 2.  That the Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the proposed Work Programme for the Committee as set out in paragraphs 2.30 to 2.32 of the report and that the following also be included a)  that the Committee be provided with a detailed programme of deliverables (i.e. a timeline for delivery of documentation) b)  that the Committee undertakes a workshop in respect of the appropriateness of assumptions c)  that the work programme takes account of the Key Lines of Enquiry as recommended by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny d)  that the Committee be provided with the saving efficiencies deliverables and un-deliverables as presented to the Cabinet e)  that the Committee has individual workshops with Portfolio Holders and Strategic Directors in respect of their respective budgets, to be scheduled to take place on a single day, to be scheduled in early November 2025. 3.  In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Protocol, that amendments to the Committee Work Programme be determined by the Chairman of the Committee, in consultation with the Vice-Chairman and Senior Responsible Officer and the Democratic Services Lead, with any changes to be given effect by the Senior Responsible Officer and the Committee to be notified as soon as any changes are approved.  

Date of Decision: September 22, 2025