Issue - meetings

REPORT OF : SERVICE DIRECTOR - RESOURCES

To consider the draft budget for 2019/20 and the main factors which contribute to the determination of the North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) Council Tax level. To consider the appropriate level of Council Tax that will be recommended to the meeting of the Council on the 7 February 2019.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the significant uncertainty around Central Government funding levels in 2019/20 and beyond, and that the estimates provided could be subject to significant change be noted.

     ii.        That the estimated position on the Collection Fund and how this will be funded be noted.

    iii.        That Cabinet confirms that Council Tax increases for 2019/20 should be in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted.

   iv.        That the comments on the inclusion of the savings and investment proposals in the draft budget to include any additional savings or investments be noted.

    v.        That the comments on the inclusion of the capital investment proposals to include any additional capital investments be noted.

   vi.        That the Cabinet requests for amendments to the budget, as discussed, to be considered again in January 2019.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

      i.        To ensure that all relevant factors are taken into consideration when arriving at the proposed Council Tax precept for 2019/20. 

     ii.        To ensure that the Cabinet recommends a balanced budget to Council on
7 February 2019.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – Session 1 – 1 hour 10 minute 10 seconds

Report of the Service Director – Resources to consider the draft budget for 2019/20 and the main factors which contribute to the determination of the North Hertfordshire District Council Tax level, and consider the appropriate level of Council Tax that will be recommended to the meeting of the Council on the 7 February 2019.

It was reported that the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement on 13 December showed that a lot of assumptions in the report were true, but that there would be an overall reduction in funding of around £100,000 compared to what had been estimated.

Hertfordshire had been successful in becoming a Business Rates Pilot in 2019/20 which was more advantageous that being part of a pool.

It was noted that the figure of £15,426k of total funding in Table 4 on page 275 of the report – Forecast General Fund Position was incorrect and should be corrected to £15,389k.  However, the confirmation of the funding from Central Government meant that the total would change to £15,316k. There would be a corresponding reduction in the planned contribution to funding equalisation reserve (also in Table 4) from £723k to £650k.

Executive Members discussed amendments to the budget and the Cabinet would request that these be considered again in January 2019.

The Leader moved that the recommendations and additional recommendation be approved and following a vote it was

RESOLVED:

(1)       That Cabinet notes the significant uncertainty around Central Government funding levels in 2019/20 and beyond, and that the estimates provided could be subject to significant change.

(1)        That Cabinet notes the estimated position on the Collection Fund and how this will be funded.

(2)        That Cabinet confirms that Council Tax increases for 2019/20 should be in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

(4)     That Cabinet notes the comments on the inclusion of the savings and investment proposals in the draft budget to include any additional savings or investments.

(5)     That Cabinet notes the comments on the inclusion of the capital investment proposals to include any additional capital investments.

(6)      That the Cabinet asks for amendments to the budget as discussed to be looked at again in January 2019.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)      To ensure that all relevant factors are taken into consideration when arriving at the proposed Council Tax precept for 2019/20. 

(2)     To ensure that the Cabinet recommends a balanced budget to Council on 7 February 2019.