1. The Council Finances 2014-15 to 2016-17
express 8
The Council Finances to
Cllr Steve Eling
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Resources
Stuart Kellas
Director of Strategic Resources
Melanie Dudley
Director of Improvement and Efficiency

2. Council agreed budget 4 March 2014
Council tax remains frozen for fourth year running
Councils now able to retain proportion of business rates
Council spends £930m gross on services, met from £646m fees, specific grants and charges, £155m revenue support grant and business rates top up, £50m retained business rates, £79m council tax

3. Budget 2014/15 – 2016/17 Business plans developed covering three years
Targeted savings for most services of 9%, 16% and 11% in years 2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17 respectively
Reduced levels of savings agreed for Children’s and Adult Services
Corporate projects developed to deliver additional savings and achieve balanced budget over the 3 year period

4. How we’re saving money…
Management reform
Corporate landlord
Sharing facilities
Channel shift
Agile working

5. But also, investing for the future…
Investment is a key part of the budget strategy:
Investing in employees
Investing in service delivery
Investing in Sandwell
Investing in employees
Investing in the key managers of the organisation - LEAD programme
Investing in a fit and healthy workforce – Health and Wellbeing events
Soon to introduce an employee discount scheme - to help employees' money go further. The scheme will include a number of different benefits, including retail discounts, cash back offers on everyday shopping and a range of salary sacrifice options.
Also introducing an employee assistance programme - free, confidential advice and counselling on a wide range of issues. Available 24/7 the programme aims to support employees and their wellbeing through all of life's challenges.
Initiatives to reduce sickness absence - over for the last 3 years, there has been a reduction in sickness absence of 12% over that period.
Investing in service delivery
Investing in Sandwell Local centres – delivering services closer to people
Investing in Sandwell Self Serve to enable customers to access services online, more efficiently
Investing in energy efficient street lights
Investing in early help/ prevention activity in adults and children’s services
Investing in Sandwell
Working with house builders and developers to build around 3000 new homes
Investing in Sandwell’s leisure centres
Investing in parks and quality green spaces
Investing in road links and business routes

6. Issues to be addressed over the next 3 years
Welfare Reform changes (Universal Credit)
Superannuation deficit
Reintegration of services and staff previously seconded to Transform Sandwell
Social care funding review
Linkages with the Third Sector
Updated public expenditure details
Generating income

7. Next Steps
The full report is available on CMIS and on Sandwell Trends express briefings page,