Issue - meetings

To receive a Budget Statement from the Leader of the Council, to consider the following reports of the Section 151 Officer (copies enclosed) and to determine the level of Council Tax.

Members’ attention is drawn to the following Procedure Rules:

·                 Voting – Procedure Rule 13(5) set outs the requirement for any vote taken at a budget decision meeting (as defined by the Local Government Finance Act 1992) to be recorded in the Minutes.

·                 Budget Speech – Procedure Rule 1(13)(a) sets out the time limits in relation to the budget speech and (b) details the requirements for making alternative proposal or amendment as part of the Budget and Council Tax setting.

The Council considered the reports of the Section 151 Officer, on the recommendations of the Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 26 January 2023 relating to the revenue budget and the proposed level of Council for 2023 / 24.

The Chairman informed the Council that in accordance with Procedure Rule 1(13)b an alternative budget proposal had been received.  He then proceeded to detail the order in which this item of business would be discussed.

The Leader of the Council made a budget speech (attached at APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes), thanking the Director of Resources and his team for their hard work and commended the budget for 2023 / 24 to the Council.  This proposal was duly seconded.

The Director of Resources provided a brief summary of the reports highlighting each of the appendices contained within Agenda Item 9c – Revised 2022 / 23 and Original 2023 / 24 Budget Estimates and Council Tax 2023 / 24 as well as:

·                  Member engagement that had taken place;

·                  Capital and Investment Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) along with details of Capital Bids;

·                  Treasury Management Strategy;

·                  Council Tax for 2023 / 24 and the proposed 2.99% increase equating to £6.35 a week year[1] for a band D property.

·                  Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and forecast budget changes over the next three years;

In response to the budget speech, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor R H Siddall, thanked the Leader of the Council and commented on the speech, referring to the:

·                  Cost of Living crisis and the pressure this put on the Council’s finances.  He noted the collaborative working that taken place in respect of preparing the 2023 / 24 budget.

·                  importance on focusing on delivery for services and the immediate year, including setting budgets intelligently.

·                  impact the transformation programme undertaken by the Council and how the new structure coming from it needed redesign.  The transformation and Covid pandemic had both brought resource impacts across the organisation, and he acknowledged the work that Council staff did under pressurised resources and difficult circumstances.

·                  need for the Council to establish how it shared it services as all Council were in a similar position which had not been helped by the Government reducing funding to Local Authorities and advising that Councils should use their reserves. 

·                  Importance of ensuring that future resources were clearly connected to strategy which could be delivered in a measured and sustainable way.

The Chairman then called on Councillor A S Fluker to move his alternative budget proposal.  The Director of Resources circulated to Members hard copies containing details of the proposed amendment with Officer comments.

Councillor Fluker advised that he wished to make an additional proposal in accordance with Procedure Rule 1(13)(b).  He referred to the significant draw down on reserves necessary over the forthcoming year which he felt was unsustainable and highlighted the comments of the Section 151 Officer who cautioned that unless the Council acted sooner its reserves would run out.  Councillor Fluker then provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 583