Issue - meetings

To consider the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Public Document Pack from its meeting on 6 January 2022 on the budget proposals for 2022/23 (Minutes from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to follow).

(1)   Cabinet noted the changes to the draft budget papers for 2022/23, and considered the recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(2)   Cabinet recommended the budget proposals 2022/23 to Full Council.

Report of the Head of Resources on providing an update on the 2022/23 budget proposals for recommendation to the Council following the Cabinet on 4 January 2021.

The budget proposals were accepted at the Cabinet meeting on the 4 January 2022. At the same Cabinet meeting changes to fees and charges for the Estates Management Scheme were agreed. These changes have now been incorporated into the proposals.

There were also further minor wording changes made to the proposals, following discussion with the Executive Member, Resources.

Members noted that the budget proposals were discussed at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 January, 2022, having previously been reviewed by a Task and Finish Panel.  The Overview and Scrutiny Committee unanimously found the proposals to be financially sound and did not put forward any recommended changes.

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

(1)   Cabinet noted the changes to the draft budget papers for 2022/23, and considered the recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(2)   Cabinet recommended the budget proposals 2022/23 to Full Council.

Report of the Chief Executive on the budget proposals for 2022/23.

(1)   Cabinet noted the Statement of the Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of budgets and adequacy of reserves (Appendix N).

(2)   Cabinet also noted that the following amounts for the year 2022/23 had been set in accordance with regulations made under Sections 31A and 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(3)    Cabinet approved the following budget proposals and noted that any comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be returned to Special Cabinet on 18 January 2022 for consideration, before final recommendations are made to Council on 2 February 2022:

(4)     General Fund

(4.1)  The proposed General Fund Budget as summarised in Appendix A, and detailed in appendix B.

(4.2)  The inclusion of the savings and growth proposals into the budget as detailed in appendices C and D.

(4.3)  The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix E.

(4.4)  The increase in the Council’s Band D Tax of £4.95 (2.26%), taking the average Band D Tax to £224.10 for 2022/23.

(4.5)  That £250k be added to the Covid-19 earmarked reserve from the 2022/23 budget, the expenditure of which will be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources. This will be partly funded from the one off received from the Government in 2022/23.

(4.6)  That the Special Expenses Scheme as set out in section 3.5 continue into 2022/23, and the Special Expenses detailed in Appendix M be approved for inclusion in the Council Tax for 2022/23.

(5)     Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

(5.1)  That dwelling rents are increased by CPI+1% in accordance with Government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £113.92 per week.

(5.2)  To continue the policy of charging formula rent when vacant properties are re-let.

(5.3)  The Housing Revenue Account budget as shown in appendix F.

(5.4)  The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix H.

(5.5)  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to maintain HRA working balances to a minimum of 5% of rental income.

(6)     Capital Programme

(6.1)  The Capital Programme for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix I.

(6.2)  The Capital Financing for the Capital Programme, for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix J, and note the forecast capital balances in Appendix K.

(7)     Medium Term Financial Strategy

(7.1)  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Financial Governance Framework, including all annexes and prudential indicators for 2022/23 – 2024/25 as set out in appendix L.

Report of the Chief Executive on the budget proposals for 2021/22.

(1)        The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

(1)  Cabinet noted the Statement of the Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of budgets and adequacy of reserves (Appendix N).

 (2)Cabinet also noted that the following amounts for the year 2022/23 had been set in accordance with regulations made under Sections 31A and 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(3)  Cabinet approved the following budget proposals and noted that any comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be returned to Special Cabinet on 18 January 2022 for consideration, before final recommendations are made to Council on 2 February 2022:

(4)       General Fund

(4.1)    The proposed General Fund Budget as summarised in Appendix A, and detailed in appendix B.

(4.2)    The inclusion of the savings and growth proposals into the budget as detailed in appendices C and D.

(4.3)    The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix E.

(4.4)    The increase in the Council’s Band D Tax of £4.95 (2.26%), taking the average Band D Tax to £224.10 for 2022/23.

(4.5)    That £250k be added to the Covid-19 earmarked reserve from the 2022/23 budget, the expenditure of which will be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources. This will be partly funded from the one off received from the Government in 2022/23.

(4.6)    That the Special Expenses Scheme as set out in section 3.5 continue into 2022/23, and the Special Expenses detailed in Appendix M be approved for inclusion in the Council Tax for 2022/23.

(5)       Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

(5.1)    That dwelling rents are increased by CPI+1% in accordance with Government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £113.92 per week.

(5.2)    To continue the policy of charging formula rent when vacant properties are re-let.

(5.3)    The Housing Revenue Account budget as shown in appendix F.

(5.4)    The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix H.

(5.5)    The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to maintain HRA working balances to a minimum of 5% of rental income.

(6)       Capital Programme

(6.1)    The Capital Programme for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix I.

(6.2)    The Capital Financing for the Capital Programme, for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix J, and note the forecast capital balances in Appendix K.

(7)       Medium Term Financial Strategy

(7.1)    The Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Financial Governance Framework, including all annexes and prudential indicators for 2022/23 – 2024/25 as set out in appendix L.

(2)       Reasons for the Decision

The report will go on for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 6  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66