DECISION

1.    To propose a draft General Fund Revenue Funding Requirement of £352.846m subject to any changes arising from the technical consultation and the final Local Government Finance Settlement.

2.    To propose a Band D Council Tax of £1,060.35 for 2020-21 to be referred to Full Council for consideration.

3.    To agree the proposal of an average housing rent increase of 2.7% based on the September 2019 Consumer Price Index plus 1% to take effect from the first rent week of April 2020. This equates to an average rent increase of £2.94 per week for 2020-21.

4.    To agree the proposal that the average weekly housing tenanted service charge will increase by 2.7% from the first rent week in April 2020. This is consistent with the new Social Housing rent standard rent policy and will lead to an average weekly increase in tenanted service charges of approximately £0.23.

5.    To agree the proposal that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be recommended to Council for consideration, recommending that Council agrees no changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-21.         

6.    To note the following:

The General Fund revenue budget for 2020-21 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2022-23

The initial budget proposals and Council Tax for 2020-21 together with the Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in Appendix 1

Budget Consultation

The outcome of consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other stakeholders as set out in Section 3.13 and Appendix 6

Funding

The funding available for 2020-21 and the indications and forecasts for future years as set out in Section 3.4.

Growth and Inflation

The risks identified from the potential growth and inflation commitments arising in 2020-21 and future years as set out in Section 3.5 & Appendix 3.

Savings

New proposed saving items to be delivered in 2020-23 as set out in Section 3.6 and Appendix 4 of the report.

Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies

The strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 3.7.

Reserves

The reserves policy and proposed approach to the strategic use of reserves as set out in Section 3.8.

Schools Funding

The position for schools’ funding including the Dedicated Schools Budget as set out in Section 3.9.

Housing Revenue Account

The proposals for Housing Rent and Tenanted Service Charge Setting 2020-21 are set out in Section 3.10.

7.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON)

(Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (K. Bartle)

Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the Council’s draft budget proposals. In particular she highlighted the responses to the Council’s budget consultation exercise and how those had been taken account of when drafting the budget proposals.

Members discussed the report and noted a number of issues including:

·         The importance of working with Scrutiny especially on the best timing for engagement.

·         The importance of clarity on who was responsible for cross-directorate savings proposals.

·         The continued need for affordable housing.

·         How the budget built on the Good OFSTED rating of Children’s Social Care looking to improve the life chances of young people.

·         The continued support for skills training  for all age groups.

·         The need to provide safe, secure communities and to invest in the future.

·         That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme was unchanged.

·         The level of Reserves was noted.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He thanked officers and Members for their hard work in putting the budget together and the improvements to services that had been secured. He then agreed the report explaining that it would now be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their views. Submissions would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 29 January before the final budget proposals were agreed and submitted to Council.

RESOLVED

1.    To propose a draft General Fund Revenue Funding Requirement of £352.846m subject to any changes arising from the technical consultation and the final Local Government Finance Settlement.

2.    To propose a Band D Council Tax of £1,060.35 for 2020-21 to be referred to Full Council for consideration.

3.    To agree the proposal of an average housing rent increase of 2.7% based on the September 2019 Consumer Price Index plus 1% to take effect from the first rent week of April 2020. This equates to an average rent increase of £2.94 per week for 2020-21.

4.    To agree the proposal that the average weekly housing tenanted service charge will increase by 2.7% from the first rent week in April 2020. This is consistent with the new Social Housing rent standard rent policy and will lead to an average weekly increase in tenanted service charges of approximately £0.23.

5.    To agree the proposal that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be recommended to Council for consideration, recommending that Council agrees no changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-21.         

6.    To note the following:

The General Fund revenue budget for 2020-21 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2022-23

The initial budget proposals and Council Tax for 2020-21 together with the Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in Appendix 1

Budget Consultation

The outcome of consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other stakeholders as set out in Section 3.13 and Appendix 6

Funding

The funding available for 2020-21 and the indications and forecasts for future years as set out in Section 3.4.

Growth and Inflation

The risks identified from the potential growth and inflation commitments arising in 2020-21 and future years as set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6