Consultation

The Council’s is consulting on its proposed budget plans for 2016/17.

The proposals also give an indication of savings it will need to identify in future years in the light of ongoing national Government grant cuts which have already meant a 45 per cent reduction in Coventry’s government grant since 2010.

Councils across the country are facing similar spending pressures. Just recently the Government’s 2015 spending review signalled a further period of public sector spending reductions and the proposals listed by Coventry City Council include estimates about what this means in terms of local services.

At the start of 2016/17 budget setting, the Council faced a budget gap of £13m rising to £28m over the next three years. The proposals in this report reduce the 2016/17 gap to £2m.

The Council is committed to protecting its most vulnerable citizens while delivering a range of core services to everyone in the city. The details attached also explain its absolute commitment to the growth and regeneration of the city to enable the Council to take greater control of its own financial destiny.

The Cabinet Report explains about proposals to overhaul and modernise council services and implementing savings plans already built into the existing budget.

The most significant new savings proposals for 2016/17 include increased Council Tax revenue, reflecting the growth of the city and strong collection performance. The proposals also identify a reduction in the amount that the Council will need to set aside to repay its debt. The Council also plans to set aside more money to pay for the costs of adult social care.

The budget consultation is carried out on the basis that the Council will increase Council Tax levels by two per cent - although this could be set lower.