Agenda item

To consider the Cabinet's recommendations on the Medium Term Plan for 2014 - 2018, the 2013/14 budget, related Prudential Indicators and the Treasury Management Strategy (see also the Report of the Cabinet held on 14th February 2013) and in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, to approve resolutions as to the levels of Council Tax in 2013/14 for the various parts of Huntingdonshire District.  A report by the Head of Financial Services is enclosed (the tables and formal resolution referred to as Appendix D will follow).

Further to Minute No. 52 of the meeting of the Council held on 19th December 2012 and in conjunction with a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and Item Nos. 58 and 59 of the Report of the Cabinet, the Executive Councillor for Resources presented to Members the Medium Term Plan, 2013/14 Budget, the Treasury Management Strategy and other associated matters for the Council's consideration and approval.

In accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992, the Council also considered proposals for levels of Council Tax in 2013/14 for various parts of the Huntingdonshire district.

In his opening remarks, Councillor Gray reminded the Council of the financial objectives of the Cabinet - to achieve a balanced revenue budget by the financial year 2016/17, to stabilise revenue reserves at £5.4m, to establish a protocol for borrowing and investment and to regularly monitor the levels of new home bonus allocated by the Government.  Councillor Gray was content to report that the Council was meeting its targets in this respect.  On behalf of the Council, Councillor Gray extended his appreciation to the Heads of Financial Services and Customer Services and their teams for their contributions to this position.

By reference to the report of the Head of Financial Services, Councillor Gray updated the Council on developments since its meeting in December and the consequences of these for the District Council's services.  He acknowledged the support for the proposed level of Council Tax increase and the contribution made to the budgetary process by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) and members of the business community.

In concluding, Councillor Gray reminded Members of the significant savings which already had taken place which included a reduction in staff, re-organisation of refuse rounds, installation of PV Panels, a proposed increase in car parking charges and joint procurement.  Despite these attempts to reduce expenditure, Councillor Gray assured the Council that projects considered to be beneficial and strategic still would proceed and in this respect he referred to current development at One Leisure, St Ives, the release of upfront funding for the Huntingdon West relief road and the Huntingdon multi-storey car park, the net cost of which would be recovered over a period of years.

Even with the proposed Council Tax increase, the Council was informed that further savings of £1.5m by 2014/15 rising to £2.6m in 2017/18 still required to be achieved which would present a major challenge to the authority.  Conscious of the needs and demands of the local community in the current economic climate and the responsibility placed on the Council to provide a range of statutory and obligatory services for local people, Councillor Gray moved the recommendations of the Cabinet which were duly seconded by the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite.

In response, Councillor M F Shellens expressed his appreciation for the skilful and measured way in which the budget had been compiled and presented to the Council by Officers and the Executive Councillor.  Specifically, he requested that Town and Parish Councils be given early indication of proposals for the next financial year, he welcomed the additional funding proposed to assist the homeless but could not support the development of the multi-storey car park in Huntingdon fearing that it would be under-utilised if Sainsburys was not replaced in the town centre by high interest stores.

Councillors K J Churchill, P J Downes, S Greenall, C R Hyams, P D Reeve and R J West also contributed to the debate that followed during which, amongst various issues, particular mention was made of the possibility of contributions from the Police Authority towards CCTV, the changes proposed by the Government to Council Tax principles in 2013/14 influenced during discussions between the Executive Leader and Baroness Hanham, the decisions that the District Council had taken thus far to make savings in the overall direction of travel, the need to maintain the vitality of town centres and the impact of car parking charges.  A separate debate took place on the Treasury Management Strategy before the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite requested that the appreciation of the Council for the hard work and efforts of the Executive Councillor, Councillor J A Gray and the Head of Financial Services and his team in achieving a budget for 2013/14 be placed on record.

A Motion for a recorded vote having been lost, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the proposed budget for 2013/14, Medium Term Plan for 2014-18 and Financial Plan as set out in Appendix A to the report by the Head of Financial Services now submitted by approved;

  (b)  that the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix B to the report by the Head of Financial Services now submitted by approved;

  (c)  that a Council Tax increase of £4.67 representing a level of £133.18 for a band D property be approved for 2013/14;

  For resolutions (d) - (h) and Tables 1 and 2 please see published Minutes contained in Council Agenda - 24th April 2013