To note that the Labour Group has requested a meeting and has submitted the following Motion for debate:

“This Council notes the shortfall of £6 million in the Council Budget 2014/15 and regrets the announcement of this by way of a press release, without first preparing an explanation for Elected Members on what is an extremely worrying situation.

It is clear there are very serious questions to be answered in order to properly understand how this catastrophic financial mismanagement has occurred, therefore this Council demands a full explanation from the Leader of the Council in respect of the following:

·      What were the reasons for the financial management failings, and who will take responsibility for the failure?                                                                      

·  What are the lessons to be learned and how will they be implemented?

·   Bearing in mind savings of up to £6 million have now got to be made in this financial year, what are the service and staffing implications across all budget areas arising from this catastrophic breakdown in budget management?

The Council seeks assurances that it will continue to undertake its statutory duty in relation to the care of the elderly and vulnerable across this Borough.

The Council also calls into question the competence of the Leader and Deputy Leader who were the members responsible for finance and adult care services at the time of this management and therefore need to take full responsibility for their actions and consider their positions. Otherwise the Council can have no confidence in the Council Executive to put right these budget failings.”

(Note: Prior to the debate on this matter, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services provided a briefing to the Council detailing the timeline of the issue, actions and reporting, and investigations to date.

Since the investigation was on going and was likely to lead to the disclosure of “exempt” information, Members were reminded that during the course of the debate it may become necessary to move an exclusion resolution to exclude the press and public.

The Council was also advised that a Special Meeting of the Accounts and Audit Committee would be convened on 6 August 2014 to consider a report on the outcome of the investigation of budget monitoring arrangements.)

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes the shortfall of £6 million in the Council Budget 2014/15 and regrets the announcement of this by way of a press release, without first preparing an explanation for Elected Members on what is an extremely worrying situation.

It is clear there are very serious questions to be answered in order to properly understand how this catastrophic financial mismanagement has occurred, therefore this Council demands a full explanation from the Leader of the Council in respect of the following:

·      What were the reasons for the financial management failings, and who will take responsibility for the failure?                                                                      

·  What are the lessons to be learned and how will they be implemented?

·   Bearing in mind savings of up to £6 million have now got to be made in this financial year, what are the service and staffing implications across all budget areas arising from this catastrophic breakdown in budget management?

The Council seeks assurances that it will continue to undertake its statutory duty in relation to the care of the elderly and vulnerable across this Borough.

The Council also calls into question the competence of the Leader and Deputy Leader who were the members responsible for finance and adult care services at the time of this management and therefore need to take full responsibility for their actions and consider their positions. Otherwise the Council can have no confidence in the Council Executive to put right these budget failings.”

Following a debate on the matter the Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.