Agenda item

To consider and approve the budget and medium-term financial strategy in respect of the Mayoral Functions and the West of England Combined Authority for 2023/24. Inflation kept under review via this report.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.     Approve the combined authority budget for 2023/24 as summarised in figure 6 and the relevant related supporting appendices, with the exception of the £8m staffing increase, of which 10% will be withheld to enable further work to be undertaken to assess the relevant need against pressures on services. The remaining funds will be released following the unanimous approval of the Combined Authority Chief Executive and Chief Executives of the Constituent Councils. Should a decision not receive unanimous approval the matter will be returned to the next Combined Authority Committee.

2.     That the acting Chief Executive works with UA Chief Executives on a programme of effectiveness and efficiency reviews to be agreed at the March 2023 committee, including the delivery timescales for such reviews, which will include appropriate value for money testing with external validation where appropriate, this will include the development of a risk-based reserve policy as referred in para 4.

3.     Approve the West of England Combined Authority budget for 2023/24 as summarised in figure 6 and relevant related supporting appendices.

4.     Review and comment on the West of England Combined Authority projected revenue forecast for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 2.

5.     Approve the Mayoral Budget for 2023/24 together with the funding contribution from the West of England Combined Authority, (Investment Fund), budget of £675k as set out in Appendix 7.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris introduced a report by stating that the Authority was moving forward with a plan that recognised the impact of the economic slowdown and the impact of inflation on our residents and business in the West of England. He stated that officers had provided a transparent report to enable the Authority to meet the local challenges.  He warned that delays would slow delivery as well as reducing purchasing power and value for money due to the inflationary levels.

The recommendations were moved by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.  He stated that he also wished to move an additional effectiveness and efficiencies recommendation.

There was a request for an adjournment for the members of the Committee to discuss any additional recommendations and/or amendments.

The meeting adjourned at 1348 and reconvened at 1527.

On resumption of the meeting Councillor Toby Savage stated that he wished to move two additional recommendations as follows.  These recommendations would become recommendations 1 & 2, with the existing recommendations becoming recommendations 3-5.  This would seconded by Cllr Kevin Guy.

“1.     Approve the combined authority budget for 2023/24 as summarised in figure 6 and the relevant related supporting appendices, with the exception of the £8m staffing increase, of which 10% will be withheld to enable further work to be undertaken to assess the relevant need against pressures on services. The remaining funds will be released following the unanimous approval of the Combined Authority Chief Executive and Chief Executives of the Constituent Councils. Should a decision not receive unanimous approval the matter will be returned to the next Combined Authority Committee.

2.     That the acting Chief Executive works with UA Chief Executives on a programme of effectiveness and efficiency reviews to be agreed at the March 2023 committee, including the delivery timescales for such reviews, which will include appropriate value for money testing with external validation where appropriate, this will include the development of a risk-based reserve policy as referred in para 4.”

The Interim Chief Executive stated that this enabled the Authority to pass a robust budget and keep up the pace of delivery.

Councillor Savage stated that he accepted the need for additional resources to deliver the programme of work and strengthening of governance.  It was important to balance the needs of residents and maximising the value for money. Leaders needed to ensure that they spent the available money as wisely as they could.

[voting arrangements: A unanimous vote in favour at full meeting of the Combined Authority by all members appointed by the by the constituent Authorities or substitute members acting in place of those members, present and voting]. 

The recommendations were carried unanimously.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.     Approve the combined authority budget for 2023/24 as summarised in figure 6 and the relevant related supporting appendices, with the exception of the £8m staffing increase, of which 10% will be withheld to enable further work to be undertaken to assess the relevant need against pressures on services. The remaining funds will be released following the unanimous approval of the Combined Authority Chief Executive and Chief Executives of the Constituent Councils. Should a decision not receive unanimous approval the matter will be returned to the next Combined Authority Committee.

2.     That the acting Chief Executive works with UA Chief Executives on a programme of effectiveness and efficiency reviews to be agreed at the March 2023 committee, including the delivery timescales for such reviews, which will include appropriate value for money testing with external validation where appropriate, this will include the development of a risk-based reserve policy as referred in para 4.

3.     Approve the West of England Combined Authority budget for 2023/24 as summarised in figure 6 and relevant related supporting appendices.

4.     Review and comment on the West of England Combined Authority projected revenue forecast for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 2.

5.     Approve the Mayoral Budget for 2023/24 together with the funding contribution from the West of England Combined Authority, (Investment Fund), budget of £675k as set out in Appendix 7.