Agenda and minutes

1.1.     Councillor Adam Hug assumed the role of Chair and noted that it was the             first meeting of the Cabinet under the new administration.

1.2.     Councillor Geoff Barraclough gave apologies.

1.3.     Councillor Liza Begum attended virtually and was present for the discussion             but did not participate in voting on any items.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1. There were no Declarations of Interest.

To note that the minutes from the last meeting of Cabinet on the 17^th February 2022 are an accurate representation of the proceedings of that meeting under the previous administration.

RESOLVED: Councillor Hug, with the consent of the Members present, agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2022 were a true and correct record of the proceedings, while noting that the meeting was the Cabinet under the previous administration.

Report of the Executive Director of Finance and Resources

4.1.     Councillor Boothroyd introduced the paper and noted that with this report, the council would formally begin preparing the budget for 2023 which will be the first under the new administration. He advised that due to current economic and political uncertainty, officers were unaware the former Secretary of State intended to introduce a two year financial settlement. He noted that fairer treatment is hoped for from a new Secretary of State who is a former member of this council and as a political leadership, Cabinet can only deliver the service improvements they are committed to by knowing the facts and making sure the council are in the most robust financial position.

4.2.     Gerald Almeroth, Executive Director of Finance and Resources, noted that key risks to the Medium Term Financial Plan are inflation and interest rates,             and their impact on the council’s borrowing ability. He advised that the council’s ability to manage those pressures will depended on its capacity to generate income and make savings.

RESOLVED:           Cabinet noted the revised medium-term financial planning forecast to 2026/27 and agreed the budget process approach as set out in the report.

Report of the Chief Executive

5.1      Councillor Hug introduced the paper, noting that the public launch of the                       Commission was due to follow on 21 July. He advised Cabinet that the             purpose of the Commission is ultimately to provide an iterative policy and                         advisory function.

5.2      Councillor Noble noted that key to the establishment of the Commission is                     that it does not make decisions or alter the decision making process, and                        that the people on the Commission are talented and passionate about what         they do.

RESOLVED: Cabinet:

·       Approved the terms of reference for the Future of Westminster Commission as set out at Appendix A, thus establishing the Commission as an advisory body to the Cabinet

·       Approved the creation of a budget of £150k for the administration of the Commission to be funded from reserves.

·       Delegated authority to the Chief Executive to make appointments to the Commission, including agreeing any associated costs and reasonable changes to the agreed budget, subject to the Council’s Financial Regulations, Procurement Code and Human Resources Policies. Appointments will be made on advice from the Leader of the Council, and subsequently the Chair of the Commission.