Agenda item

The Director of Corporate Resources, Ruth Marchington, introduced a report asking the Authority to approve the budget proposals for 2016/2017. If approved this would allow the Authority to start implementing measures to deliver savings anticipated in the 2016/17 budget before the start of the financial year commencing on 1 April 2016.  It was confirmed that a full budget report responding to this steer would be prepared by the Chief Finance Officer and considered by the Authority in February 2016.

In introducing the report Ruth confirmed that comments made by Members at the recent financial planning workshop had been incorporated into the proposals. It was also noted that nationally the Chief Executives and Chairs of National Park Authorities were lobbying government to obtain the powers to open up access to additional income and therefore mitigate against the impact of reductions in the Defra grant.

The officer recommendation was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED

1.         To approve a programme of reductions in Defra funded activities in five review areas, as detailed in Appendix 1, amounting to £464k to be implemented by 1 April 2016.

2.         To approve plans to achieve an increase in net income and reductions in input costs in areas given strategic certainty, as detailed in Appendix 1, amounting to £138k to be  implemented by 1 April 2016.

Cllr Mrs N Hawkins left the meeting at 11.35am following consideration of this item.