Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that:

1.   The revised budget for 2020/21, as detailed in section 4.3 of the officer’s report, be approved.

2.   The overall revenue budget summary for 2021/22, as detailed in section 4.5 and Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved.

3.   The Collection Fund and the Tax Base forecasts, as detailed in section 4.6 of the officer’s report, be noted.

4.   The use of the capital receipts flexibility to fund the revenue costs of the ICT improvement programme which will lead to budget savings, as detailed in section 4.7 of the officer’s report, be approved.

5.   The budget forecasts for 2022/23 and the medium term and the need to address the projected deficits, as detailed in section 4.8 of the officer’s report, be noted.

6.   The intention to develop a detailed programme and funding strategy for Organisational Development, as detailed in section 4.9 of the officer’s report, be noted.

7.   The estimates of reserves including maintaining the General Working Balance at £1.5m, as detailed in section 4.10 and Appendix D of the officer’s report, be approved.

8.   The budget risks and sensitivity analysis, as detailed in Appendix E of the officer’s report, be noted.

9.   The Council’s share of Council Tax for properties in each band be increased on the basis of a £5 increase for a Band ‘D’ property in 2021/22.

10.   The 2021/22 Council Tax Requirement and financing, as detailed in Appendix F of the officer’s report, be approved.

11.   The Chief Financial Officer’s assurances, as detailed in section 4.14 of the officer’s report, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

In order to meet the statutory requirements relating to setting a budget and the council tax.

The Chief Financial Officer submitted a report on the General Fund budget. The report also included recommendations that would be made to Full Council on budget allocations and the Council Tax level for 2021/22.

The original budget for 2020/21 was approved in February, 2020 when a £16k surplus was reported. During 2020/21 there had been quarterly budget monitoring reports presented to Cabinet and Full Council which evidenced the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the significant adverse effect on the council’s financial position. The revised portfolio budgets for 2020/21 were reported to Cabinet on 15 December, 2020 as part of the first draft General Fund budget report. Since then further work had been undertaken through budget challenge and budget monitoring to identify other possible variances for inclusion in the final budget report. The latest revised budget forecast for 2020/21 reported an £8k deficit.

The budget for 2021/22 had been prepared assuming a council tax increase of £5 for a Band ‘D’ property, which equates to a rise of 9.6 pence a week for householders occupying Band ‘D’ properties, towards the future costs of services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Members were also informed of the expenditure estimates for the coming financial year as well as the medium term forecasts for 2022/23 through to 2025/26.

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that:

1.    The revised budget for 2020/21, as detailed in section 4.3 of the officer’s report, be approved.

2.    The overall revenue budget summary for 2021/22, as detailed in section 4.5 and Appendix A of the officer’s report, be approved.

3.    The Collection Fund and the Tax Base forecasts, as detailed in section 4.6 of the officer’s report, be noted.

4.    The use of the capital receipts flexibility to fund the revenue costs of the ICT improvement programme which will lead to budget savings, as detailed in section 4.7 of the officer’s report, be approved.

5.    The budget forecasts for 2022/23 and the medium term and the need to address the projected deficits, as detailed in section 4.8 of the officer’s report, be noted.

6.    The intention to develop a detailed programme and funding strategy for Organisational Development, as detailed in section 4.9 of the officer’s report, be noted.

7.    The estimates of reserves including maintaining the General Working Balance at £1.5m, as detailed in section 4.10 and Appendix D of the officer’s report, be approved.

8.    The budget risks and sensitivity analysis, as detailed in Appendix E of the officer’s report, be noted.

9.    The Council’s share of Council Tax for properties in each band be increased on the basis of a £5 increase for a Band ‘D’ property in 2021/22.

10.     The 2021/22 Council Tax Requirement and financing, as detailed in Appendix F of the officer’s report, be approved.

11.     The Chief Financial Officer’s assurances, as detailed in section 4.14 of the officer’s report, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

In order to meet the statutory requirements relating to setting a budget and the council tax.