Agenda item

A suggested procedure for the budget debate had been circulated to Members in the supplementary agenda.

It was moved by Councillor Swindlehurst,

Seconded by Councillor Mann,

“That in accordance with procedure rule 27.1, Rule 16.5 on rules of debate be suspended insofar as is necessary to enable the procedure as circulated to be adopted and that the Council consent to:

• Members of the Leadership speaking for up to 45 minutes in total on the budget agenda items;
• Members of the Opposition speaking for up to 20 minutes in total on the same items;
• Independent Members speaking for up to 5 minutes in total.

The procedural motion was put and carried unanimously. 

Resolved  – That the proposed procedure for the budget debate be approved and adopted.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Members for Housing and Planning; Financial Oversight and Council Assets; Children’s Services, Lifelong Learning and Skills; Social Care and Public Health; Public Protection, Regulation and Enforcement; Customer Services, Procurement and Performance and Leisure, Culture and Community Empowerment provided details on the budget overview, savings, growth and pressures relating to each of their portfolios. 

Members of the Conservative Group and Independent Members spoke on the budget agenda items, highlighting the seriousness of the financial challenge facing the Council.