58 2018/19 BUDGET AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY (2019/20 TO 2022/23) PDF 241 KB
The Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources, Councillor J A Gray to present the 2018/19 Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2019/20 – 2022/23, the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2018/19, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy Indicators for 2018/19 and the Annual Minimum Revenue Policy 2018/19 for approval.
In accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council will be required to approve resolutions as to the levels of Council Tax in 2018/19.
In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the Council will be asked to resolve that a recorded vote be taken on the conclusion of debate on this item.
(Notes: 30 Minutes Presentation
30 Minutes for Questions).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chairman reminded Members of the decision made by the Council to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11 (Rules of Debate) to enable a full debate to be made by Members on the 2018/19 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy in an open manner. The Council therefore
RESOLVED
that Council Procedure Rule 11 (Rules of Debate) be suspended for the duration of the discussion on Minute No. 58, during which time the common law rules of debate be observed by Members and applied by the Chairman.
In conjunction with a report by the Head of Resources and PowerPoint presentation (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources presented to Members the 2018/19 Revenue Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential, Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) Indicators for 2018/19 and other associated matters for the Council’s consideration and approval.
In accordance with Section (30)2 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council also considered proposals for levels of Council Tax in 2018/19 for various parts of the Huntingdonshire district.
In his opening remarks, Councillor Gray drew Members attention to the highlights of the budget for the forthcoming year, including proposals for an increase in Council Tax of 2% that was lower than state pension and wage increases and ultimately more affordable. Members also noted that the minimum level of general fund reserves was set to increase to £2.7m as a result of the grant settlement from Government, the Council’s policy to increase Council Tax and the savings, income and growth built into the 2018/19 budget and MTFS.
Attention was drawn to specific changes in service budgets and the resultant impact on the final budget, including commercialisation and service changes for CCTV, increase in homelessness resources as a consequence of new legislation, changes to charging for planning services, income from car parking with no changes to car parking fees currently, significant contribution of £190k to the budget from the Leisure and Health Service, substantial investment in ICT for the roll out of the Council Anywhere project and income from the CIS.
Councillor Gray reminded Members of the process of consideration of the draft budget, from informal Cabinet in December 2017 with Senior Officers through to consideration of the draft and final budget at Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet. He reported that this was the seventh budget that he had delivered but had by far involved the most robust discussions and thanked all Members for their input.
In comparing past and future budgets, Members attention was drawn to forthcoming changes that would be emerging through the transformation programme to deliver services for its residents in an efficient and effective manner with the savings ring-fenced to deliver more efficiencies across Council services. Councillor Gray also appraised Members with the increase in capital investment specifically in Disabled Facilities Grants, with an increase from £300k in the current year to £800k in 2018/19 to ... view the full minutes text for item 58
Actions: 60 Minutes.
59 Final Revenue Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 PDF 284 KB
To receive and recommend to Council the Final Revenue Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23.
(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)
Contact: C Mason 388157
Additional documents:
Decision:
That the overall Final Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted and which included the Revenue Budget at Section 2 and the Capital Programme at Section 3) be recommended for approval at Council.
That the new “Plan-on-a-Page” (as attached as Appendix 3 of the report now submitted) be approved.
Minutes:
By way of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered the Final Budget 2018/19 and revised Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23. Executive Councillors welcomed the changes made to the budget following the recommendations at the January meeting of the Cabinet. Attention was drawn to the outcome of consultation with the business and voluntary community, which had been sent to 970 contacts but no responses had been received. Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
That Council be recommended to approve the
a) overall Final Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted, including the Revenue Budget at Section 2 and Capital Programme at Section 3); and
b) new “Plan-on-a-Page” (as attached as Appendix 3 of the report now submitted).
53 FINAL REVENUE BUDGET 2018/19 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2019/20 TO 2022/23 PDF 116 KB
The Panel are to consider the Final Revenue Budget 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23.
Contact: C Mason 388157
Additional documents:
Minutes:
With the aid of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) the Final Revenue Budget 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23 was presented to the Panel. The Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources updated Members on the developments and changes to the budget since it was last presented to the Panel.
Members were informed that Cabinet has endorsed the proposal to increase Council Tax by 2%. In addition, the income from a closed churchyard levy and bus departure levy has been taken out of the budget for 2018/19. The Executive Councillor explained that the Council would require to develop a policy for the maintenance of the closed churchyards. Regarding the bus departure levy, the Cabinet decided that the Council would have to discuss the proposal with the bus companies before deciding to implement it.
The Executive Councillor explained that the budget now outlines the income of the Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) and the cost of the strategy. Members were informed of shortfall in income if the Council did not have CIS.
The Head of Resources informed the Panel of the four year efficiency plan and, as the Section 151 Officer, stated that the budget is sound.
In response to a question on the removal of the Closed Churchyard Levy, Members were informed that the Council intends to consult with affected Parishes before including the levy in the 2019/20 budget.
Following a question, the Panel was informed that the Council has committed to maintain a reserve at 15%.
A Member expressed concern that as the Council moves into a commercial area, incomes can become less secure.
In response to a concern expressed regarding the level of general reserves, the Executive Councillor explained that the CIS generates an income however, the Council are a little way off where the Executive Councillor would like to be.
When asked about the funding allocated to the ‘to be acquired’ section, it was explained that the Council intends to make further commercial investments and that the delivery of CIS will be sporadic.
A Member stated that they were concerned about the discussion of transfer of duties as this isn’t matched with transfer of funds.