Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Independent Group Leader on alternative proposals for the Council Budget 2019/20.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray.

The Cabinet received and noted proposed alternative budget and council tax proposals. A further report on proposals for grounds maintenance will be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) at its February 2019 meeting.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report by the Independent Group Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining alternative proposals for the Council’s budget 2019/20. The proposals related to the community chest, grounds maintenance, leisure and play facilities for young people, the establishment of a new budget for a Local Highway Improvements Scheme for Huntingdonshire and an increase in Council Tax of 3%. 

In introducing the report, the Independent Group Leader, Councillor T D Sanderson, proposed an amendment to their proposal relating to the community chest budget and suggested that the figure of £100K be reduced to £30K. Regarding the proposal to increase Council Tax to 3%, it was confirmed that this would equate to a difference of £35K when compared to the proposed 2.6% increase recommended in the Draft 2019/20 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24 (Minute No.18/51 post refers).

Much discussion ensued on each of the proposals. Executive Councillors outlined their concern that Town and Parish Councils would not welcome the management of all grounds maintenance responsibilities within their communities. In response to questions, the Independent Group Leader confirmed that the terms of the transfer would be subject to negotiations between the District Council and Town and Parish Councils which could potentially include the transfer of assets. Owing to the lack of detail at the meeting, the Independent Group Leader offered to provide a further report on proposals for grounds maintenance to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) at their meeting in February 2019.

Concerns were expressed over the suggestion to transfer budget from the Active Lifestyles Team to the community chest budget. Despite the proposed reduction to £30K, Executive Councillors highlighted the benefits to the community that the Active Lifestyles budget currently delivered and noted the success of the Team at generating additional income. Furthermore, comment was made that the current community chest budget was not fully utilised and that efforts needed to be made to raise awareness of the availability of these funds and the funding criteria amongst the local community.

Executive Councillors were unable to support the proposals around leisure and play facilities for young people, the introduction of a Local Highway Improvements Scheme for Huntingdonshire and an increase in Council Tax by 3%. In noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and having thanked the Independent Group Leader for the proposals, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed alternative budget and Council Tax proposals be received and noted; and

(b)  that a further report on proposals for grounds maintenance be submitted by the Independent Group Leader to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) at their meeting in February 2019.

A report on the alternative proposals for the Council Budget 2019/20, by the Independent Group Leader, is to be presented to Members.

With the aid of a report by the Independent Group Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the alternative proposals for the Council budget 2019/20 were presented to the Panel.

In introducing the proposals the Independent Group Leader informed the Panel that the emphasis was on the priorities of community chest, ground maintenance, play facilities for young people and local highways improvement scheme for Huntingdonshire. In addition, it was proposed that Council Tax should rise by 3% instead of 2.6%.

In expanding on the proposals, the Panel was informed that the proposal is to transfer funds from Active Lifestyles to the Community Chest. Regarding ground maintenance, the aim is to explore what collaboration could be done with Parish and Town Councils and, if required, transfer responsibility and some resource if it can deliver an overall saving.

The Independent Group Leader explained to Members that the local highways improvement scheme for Huntingdonshire will allow the Council to build highway infrastructure which is deemed to be important but has not made the County Council’s list.

Members received a summary explaining that the ethos behind the alternative proposals is to encourage joint funding and collaborative work between each authority and not place the emphasis on a single authority.

A Member expressed concern that adding £100k to the Community Chest budget would be too much as the existing chest of £60k is not completely spent. It was suggested that the Community Chest could benefit from better advertising to make groups more aware of the scheme. Another Member expressed concern that by taking £100k from Active Lifestyles for the Community Chest would render Active Lifestyles unviable.

Further to this, the Independent Group Leader confirmed that if the Community Chest was not fully spent then it would remain a surplus and not necessarily reallocated to other budgets.

Support was expressed for the idea of Parish and Town Councils adopting all grounds maintenance work within their area and Members stated that the idea should be explored. There were concerns that even with additional funds some Parish and Town Councils won’t be able to afford the required man-power or additional equipment. In addition, concern was expressed that by transferring grounds maintenance responsibilities over to Parish and Town Council would result in some District Council staff being made redundant.

Members understood the principle of Local Highway Improvement Scheme run by the Council, however some Members were not clear about the practicalities of the proposed scheme and how it would work alongside Cambridgeshire County Council’s scheme. It was explained that by adopting a locally run scheme it would enable the Council to assist communities develop.

When questioned on the Council Tax increase, the Independent Group Leader stated that he would consider proposing an increase of £5 which equates to 3.6%.

The Panel agreed that the Cabinet should discuss the alternative proposals put forward by the Independent Group Leader.