Issue - meetings

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report FIN/462 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 4 February 2019.

The Leader of the Council presented report FIN/462 of the Head of Corporate Finance, which set out the Budget and level of Council Tax for the year 2019/2020. It was noted that the report detailed each of the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Accounts that combine together to formulate ‘The Budget’. In proposing the level of Council Tax for the Financial Year 2019-2020, each of those accounts identified had been considered. The proposed Council Tax for 2019/20 be increased by 2.49%, which was one of the lowest in the County. The Leader emphasised that the Budget follows the agreed Budget Strategy including achieving a balanced budget over a 3 year period. However, through the combined proposals it had ensured that the Council had a balanced budget over the one year. It was noted that the budget has a focus on income generation to fund reduction in Grant funding.

The report also sought approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2019/2020.

The Cabinet noted the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report presented by Councillor Cheshire and its comments to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 4 February 2019.

Councillor Jones also spoke on the report.

RESOLVED

That Full Council be recommended to the approval of the following items regarding the 2019/20 Budget:

a)            to approve the proposed 2019/20 General Fund Budget including savings and growth as set out in section 6 and Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of report FIN/462,

b)            to approve the proposed 2019/20 Housing Revenue Account Budget as set out in Section 10 and Appendix 3 of report FIN/462,

c)            to approve the 2018/19 to 2021/22 Capital Programme and funding as set out in Paragraph 11.4 of report FIN/462,

d)            to agree that the Council’s share of Council Tax for 2019/20 be increased by 2.49% from £198.99 to £203.94 for a band D property as set out in paragraphs 5.5.1 and 13.3 of report FIN/462,

e)            to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2019/2020 as outlined in paragraph 16.3 and Appendix 6 of report FIN/462.

Reasons for the Recommendations

To provide adequate funding for the proposed level of services and to fulfil the statutory requirement to set a Budget and Council Tax and report on the robustness of estimates.

To consider report FIN/462 of the Head of Corporate Finance.

The Commission considered report FIN/462 with the Leader of the Council, Head of Corporate Finance and the Chief Accountant.  The Council has a statutory responsibility to set a Council Tax and Budget in advance of the commencement of the new financial year. The Council Tax has to be set by 11 March, each year.  During 2018 the Council continued to review its spending plans and considered options to amend spending to meet new priorities.

During the discussion, the following points were expressed:

·        Confirmation that the report set out proposed growth elements and capital programme schemes, along with efficiencies, savings, latest investment interest projections and additional income being proposed.

·        Appreciation that the Budget Strategy 2019/20-2023/24 had taken on board the Commission’s recommendation that prioritisation should not preclude the initial consideration of capital projects that could deliver social value.

RESOLVED

That the Commission supported the recommendations to the Cabinet.