(1) That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation) in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Planning and the Executive Member for Leisure and Community, and that the delegation be built into the Council report to enable responsive changes to be made to the fees and charges as required during the year.
(2) Cabinet recommended the budget proposals 2023/24 to Full Council.
(1) Cabinet noted the recommendations from Cabinet, and 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 2023/24 have been set in accordance with regulations made under Sections 31A and 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:
|
|
100% TAXBASE |
99.40% TAXBASE |
|
|
|
|
|
Welwyn Garden City |
18,054.8 |
17,946.5 |
|
Hatfield |
12,463.3 |
12,388.5 |
|
Welwyn |
4,796.5 |
4,767.7 |
|
Ayot St Lawrence |
68.6 |
68.2 |
|
Ayot St Peter |
110.8 |
110.1 |
|
North Mymms |
4,458.1 |
4,431.4 |
|
Essendon |
438.7 |
436.1 |
|
Northaw & Cuffley |
3,121.4 |
3,102.7 |
|
Woolmer Green |
619.6 |
615.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
44,131.8 |
43,867.1 |
(3) Cabinet approved the following budget proposals and note that any comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be returned to Special Cabinet on 24 January 2023 for consideration, before final recommendations are made to Council:
(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 £6.66 (2.97%), taking the average Band D Tax to £230.76 for 2023/24.
(4.5) That the Special Expenses Scheme as set out in section 3.5 continue into 2023/24, and the Special Expenses detailed in Appendix M be approved for inclusion in the Council Tax for 2023/24.
(5) Housing Revenue Account (HRA)
(5.1) That dwelling rents are increased by 7% in accordance with Government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £121.89 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 2023/24 to 2027/28 as set out in Appendix I.
(6.2) The Capital Financing for the Capital Programme, for 2023/24 to 2027/28 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 2023/24 – 2026/27 as set out in appendix L.