Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To consider the draft budget for 2020/21 and the appropriate level of Council Tax that will be recommended to the meeting of the Council on the 6 February 2020.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the decrease in the 2019/20 working budget of £187K, as detailed in table 6 be approved:

(2)     That the carry-forward of £88K of budget into 2020/21, as detailed in table 6 be approved.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)     That the transfers from reserves to the General Fund as detailed in 8.4.3 to 8.4.4 be approved:

(2)     That the forecast savings target for future years be noted and the approach to balancing the budget, as detailed at Paragraph 8.9.4 be confirmed;

(3)     That the position on the Collection Fund and how it will be funded be noted:

(4)     That the position relating to the General fund balance and that due to the risks identified a minimum balance of £2.45 million is recommended be noted;

(5)     That the saving and investments as detailed in Appendix B be approved;

(6)     That a net expenditure budget of £15.124m, as detailed in Appendix C be approved;

(7)     That a Council Tax increase of £5 for 2020/21 for a band D property, with other increases pro rata for this (as per the Medium Term Strategy) be approved.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To ensure that all the relevant factors are taken into consideration when arriving at the proposed Council Tax precept for 2020/21;

(2)     To ensure that Cabinet recommends a balanced budget to Full Council on 6 February 2020.

Audio recording – Session1 – 52 minutes 57 seconds

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the addendum report entitled Revenue Budget 2020/21 together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A - Financial Risks;

·                Appendix B - Savings and Investments;

·                Appendix C - General Fund Estimates;

·                Appendix C - General Fund Estimates (addendum).

The Leader of the Council introduced the referral from the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 20 January 2020 regarding the Revenue Budget and drew attention to the recommendations to Cabinet.

The following Member took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Sam North.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the decrease in the 2019/20 working budget of £187K, as detailed in table 6 be approved:

(2)     That the carry-forward of £88K of budget into 2020/21, as detailed in table 6 be approved.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)     That the transfers from reserves to the General Fund as detailed in 8.4.3 to 8.4.4 be approved:

(2)     That the forecast savings target for future years be noted and the approach to balancing the budget, as detailed at Paragraph 8.9.4 be confirmed;

(3)     That the position on the Collection Fund and how it will be funded be noted:

(4)     That the position relating to the General fund balance and that due to the risks identified a minimum balance of £2.45 million is recommended be noted;

(5)     That the saving and investments as detailed in Appendix B be approved;

(6)     That a net expenditure budget of £15.124m, as detailed in Appendix C be approved;

(7)     That a Council Tax increase of £5 for 2020/21 for a band D property, with other increases pro rata for this (as per the Medium Term Strategy) be approved.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To ensure that all the relevant factors are taken into consideration when arriving at the proposed Council Tax precept for 2020/21;

(2)     To ensure that Cabinet recommends a balanced budget to Full Council on 6 February 2020.