Pre-budget Consultation

Questions included:

• What should the Executive's priorities be?
• How should the Executive address the funding gap?
• How should savings be achieved across the departments?
• What one thing should the Executive begin or extend?

Mike also outlined the process for developing the 2011 budget, which will be for the next four years, as opposed to the traditional three year budgetary cycle.  

• Identify departmental pressures and bid for resources – End July 2010
• Develop Savings Delivery Plans – July to October
• Ministerial Bilaterals - August
• Outcome of national Spending Review – 22 October
• Publish draft Budget & supporting documentation – End of October
• Public Consultation – November & December
• Revised Budget – End of December

Responding to a question from one of the participants about information on how departments are currently spending their budgets, Mike referred to the revised 2010/11 spending plans which can be found here http://www.pfgbudgetni.gov.uk/revised_2010-11_spending_plans_final_document-2.pdf   

Participants also asked about how spending in Northern Ireland measures up compared to other regions and information on comparative spend across England, Scotland, Wales and NI can be found here in table 9.16 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pesa_2010_chapter9.pdf

Speaking at the meeting, NICVA Chief Executive Seamus McAleavey thanked Mike and his colleagues in DFP for his frank and open presentation. This was reiterated by speakers from the floor who welcomed the chance to hear about the process first hand. However, it was emphasised that while DFP oversees the process, the real outcomes of the budget are up to individual departments and the NI Executive as a whole and this is where voluntary and community organisations need to make their voices heard. 

Over the coming weeks NICVA has organised a series of roundtable meetings between departments and the voluntary and community sector to discuss the budget and comprehensive spending review. Details here, and in our event listings.

A copy of Mike's presentation is available for download, below.