Agenda item

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To consider the draft budget for 2020/21 and the main factors which contribute to the determination of the North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) Council Tax level.

RESOLVED:

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Lisa Nash,  Sue Ngwala. Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb,  Kay Tart and Terry Tyler.

TOTAL FOR 23

Against:

Councillors: George Davies, Steve Deakin-Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Tony Hunter, David Levett, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Mike Rice, Val Shanley, Claire Strong, Richard Thake and Michael Weeks.

TOTAL AGAINST 15

(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 in 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 savings 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 to this (as per the Medium Term Financial Strategy) be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To ensure that all the relevant factors are taken in to 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 – 12 minutes 42 seconds

The Chair advised that the recommendations in the referral from Cabinet regarding the Revenue Budget 2020/21 mirrored those in the report considered by Council.

The Leader of the Council made an introductory speech regarding the Revenue Budget 2020/21 (Attached as Appendix A to the Minutes).

The Executive Member for Finance and IT gave a detailed speech regarding the report entitled Revenue Budget 2020/21 and the following appendices (Attached as Appendix B to the Minutes), following which he called for a recorded vote.

·                Appendix A - Financial Risks;

·                Appendix B - Revenue Budget Savings and Investments;

·                Appendix C - Budget Summary 2020-24.

Councillor Adem Ruggiero-Cakir sought advice regarding his ability to vote regarding R7 in the Revenue Budget report.

The Service Director- Legal and Community and Service Director – Resources gave advise as requested.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Sam North;

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Tony Hunter;

·                Councillor Richard Thake;

·                Councillor Steve Jarvis;

·                Councillor Judi Billing;

·                Councillor Ian Albert.

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Albert. Seconded by Councillor Sam North.

The recommendations were then put to the meeting and it was a recorded vote.

RESOLVED:

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Lisa Nash,  Sue Ngwala. Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb,  Kay Tart and Terry Tyler.

TOTAL FOR 23

Against:

Councillors: George Davies, Steve Deakin-Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Tony Hunter, David Levett, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Mike Rice, Val Shanley, Claire Strong, Richard Thake and Michael Weeks.

TOTAL AGAINST 15

RESOLVED:

(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 in 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 savings 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 to this (as per the Medium Term Financial Strategy) be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To ensure that all the relevant factors are taken in to 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.