Agenda and minutes

To consider the following items:-

The following item was considered:-

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) providing an update on the 2020/21 budget proposals for recommendation to the Council.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) providing an update on the 2020/21 budget proposals for recommendation to the Council following the Cabinet on 6 January 2020.

The budget papers approved at the 6 January Cabinet meeting were presented to the Resources and Overview Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2020, and the report also outlined the outcome of discussion at the meeting.

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan was also agreed by the Cabinet and recommended to the Council meeting for approval. The Cabinet Housing Panel at its meeting on 15 January made no comment on the Plan.

To consider the comments of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 8 January 2020 on the budget proposals for 2020/21.

The Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee made the following two recommendations on the budget:-

(1)       That the Committee recommends to the Cabinet to increase Council set fees and charges annually in future years.  This is to avoid Council set fees and charges falling behind the market rates and general inflation, which can lead to sudden large increases at irregular intervals.

(2)       That the Cabinet considers making a budgetary provision for more youth diversionary services to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Following discussion, it was

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the Committee’s recommendation regarding the approach to be taken to setting fees and charges in future years be agreed in principle, but subject to flexibility, for example, for individual charges.

(2)          That the Committee’s recommendation in respect of budget provision for more youth services to reduce anti-social behaviour be agreed in principle with a decision on the amount to be delegated to the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) in consultation with the Leader.  When the work of the Social Scrutiny Sub-Committee was concluded and the fundings and recommendations were put to the Cabinet.

(3)          That the budget 2020/21 be recommended to the Council meeting on 3 February 2020, taking into account recommendations (1) and (2) above.