Contact: Ejner Knudsen, ext 7403

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) Approve for submission to Cabinet:

· the base budget for 2003/04 (as set out in Appendix 1 and Annexes 1 to 4 and Appendix 5)

· the proposals for efficiency improvements and for savings (as set out in Appendix 2)

· the proposals for redeployment of resources (as set out in Appendix 3)

· the annual review of income and charges (as set out in Appendix 4)

· the revised budget for 2002/03 (Appendix 5)

· the summarised trading accounts for business units (as set out in Appendix 6)

(ii) That in finalising the County Council's overall budget proposals that consideration be given to the comments made by the Director of Environment in paragraphs 4.15 to 4.20 of the report.

(iii) Approve the changes in the revised budget (as set out in paragraph 2 of the report).

(iv) Bring to the attention of the Cabinet the latest projected overspendings in 2002/03 on public transport bus subsidies (£300,000), the disposal of abandoned vehicles (£90,000), and the storage and disposal of fridges (£400,000).

2 Reasons

2.1 Cabinet have requested:

· that service budgets be prepared in consultation with executive members within budget guidelines, as set out in the report for consideration by policy review committees

· that executive members approve service budgets within the budget guidelines for submission to the Leader and Cabinet

· that executive members identify savings of 1% and a further 0.5%, including efficiency savings and cost increases absorbed by efficiency improvements

· that executive members identify other savings to offset all other growth proposals

· that executive members report back on their annual review of charges and maximisation of income.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable

Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)

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Councillor K B Estlin