Issue - decisions
General Fund Capital and Revenue Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2017
07/02/2014 - General Fund Capital and Revenue Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2017
The Mayor noted the tabled paper and the response of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He also accepted two amendments, one to provide funding to increase the number of police officers in the borough and a second to increase the Council Tax Support Scheme awards.
DECISION
1. To agree a General Fund Revenue Budget of £292.358m and a Council tax (Band D) at £885.52 for 2014-2015 be referred to Full council for consideration.
2. To note the following matters -
a. Budget Consultation
The results of the feedback for the budget consultation are being collated but could not be completed prior to publication of this report as the second budget roadshow took place on the 27th January 2014. The results were presented as an addendum to this report.
b. Funding
The funding available for 2014-2015 and the indications and forecasts for future years set out in Section 8.
c. Base Budget 2014-2015
The Base Budget for 2014-2015 as £295.732m as detailed in Appendix 1.
d. Growth and Inflation
The risks identified from potential inflation and committed growth arising in 2014-2015 and future years and as set out in Section 9 and in Appendix 3.
e. General Fund Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2015 to 2016-2017
The initial budget proposal and Council Tax for 2014-2015 together with the Medium Term Financial Plan set out in Appendix 1 and the budget reductions arising.
f. Savings
Previously agreed savings items to be included in the budget for 2014-2015 and the strategic approach for future savings to be delivered are set out in Section 10, Appendix 4 and paragraph 7.13 of the report.
g. Capital Programme
The capital programme to 2016-2017; including the proposed revisions to the current programme as set out in section 14 and detailed in Appendices 8.1, 8.2 & 8.3.
h. Dedicated Schools Grant
The position with regard to Dedicated Schools Grant as set out in Section 12 and Appendices 6.1 & 6.2.
i. Housing Revenue Account
The position with regard to the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Section 13 and Appendix 7.
j. Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies
Advise on strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 11 and Appendices 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.
k. Reserves and Balances
The position in relation to reserves as set out in the report and further detailed in Appendices 5.1 and 5.3
l. Mayor’s Priorities
An initiative (Working Start for Women in Health and Childcare) to be included in the budget for 2014-15 is set out in paragraphs 8.29 to 8.36 of this report and a detailed proforma in Appendix 3.
3. To authorise officers to present two additional proposals to be submitted as part of the report to be considered at Council:
a. An initiative to fund an additional 20 police officers for the Borough.
b. To provide support to low income households who are already entitled to partial council tax support, by way of a £25 reduction against their remaining council tax liability in 2014/15”
Action by:
INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)
10/01/2014 - General Fund Capital and Revenue Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2017
The Mayor agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.
DECISION
1. To agree a General Fund Revenue Budget of £294.663m together with the Outline Strategic Plan identifying the key priority activities which will be delivered within this budget and which will be further developed into the Council’s Strategic Plan for 2014/2015.
2. To accept the Council Tax Free Grant available from the Department of Communities and Local Government for 2014/2015 and thereby agree to continue to freeze Council Tax (Band D) at £885.52 for the new financial year.
3. To agree to propose the items listed below for public consultation and consideration by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework (Section 16). A further report will then be submitted to the next Cabinet meeting in February detailing the results of consultations and inviting the Cabinet to recommend a Budget Requirement and Council Tax for 2014-15 to Full Council.
4. To agree to conduct the Budget consultation in line with Section 16 in the body of the report.
5. To consider and comment on the following matters -
a. Budget Consultation
The approach to the budget consultation with the community and Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
b. Funding
The funding available for 2014-2015 and the indications and forecasts for future years set out in Section 8.
c. Base Budget 2014-2015
The Base Budget for 2014-2015 as £295.732m as detailed in Appendix 1.
d. Growth and Inflation
The risks identified from potential inflation and committed growth arising in 2014-2015 and future years and as set out in Section 9 and in Appendix 3.
e. General Fund Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2015 to 2016-2017
The initial budget proposal and Council Tax for 2014-2015 together with the Medium Term Financial Plan set out in Appendix 1 and the budget reductions arising.
f. Savings
Previously agreed savings items to be included in the budget for 2014-2015 and the strategic approach for future savings to be delivered are set out in Section 10, Appendix 4 and Paragraph 7.12 of the report.
g. Capital Programme
The capital programme to 2016-2017, including the proposed revisions to the current programme as set out in section 14 and detailed in Appendix 8 and Adopt a capital estimate to the value of £3.55m to facilitate Decent Homes Works on the Malmesbury Estate as set out in paragraph 14.6.
h. Dedicated Schools Grant
The position with regard to Dedicated Schools Grant as set out in Section 12 and Appendix 6.
i. Housing Revenue Account
The position with regard to the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Section 13 and Appendix 7.
j. Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies
Advise on strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 11 and Appendices 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.
k. Reserves and Balances
The position in relation to reserves as set out in the report and further detailed in Appendices 5.1 and 5.3.
l. Mayor Priorities
An initiative to be included in the budget for 2014-15 is set out in Section 8.29 of this report.
Action by:
ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (C. HOLME)