Agenda item

Pursuant to Cabinet Minute No. 95 (2021/22), the Service Director - Finance submitted a report seeking Council approval for the General Fund Budget for 2022/23 (and the Medium-Term Financial Plan through 2025/26), including recommendations on the budget allocations and Council Tax level for 2022/23.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken for this item as follows:

FOR –

Councillors:                            Councillors:

Blank                                      Kelly

Brady                                      Ludlow

Brittain                                    Mannion-Brunt

Caulfield                                 Marriott

D Collins                                 Miles

L Collins                                 A Murphy

Dyke                                       T Murphy

Flood                                      Perkins

P Gilby                                    Rayner

T Gilby                                    Sarvent

J Innes                                   Serjeant

P Innes                                   Simmons

AGAINST –

Councillors:                            Councillors:

P Barr                                     Hollingworth

Bingham                                 Holmes

Borrell                                     Kellman

Coy                                         P Niblock

Davenport                              Redihough

G Falconer                             Rogers               

K Falconer                             Snowdon

Fordham                                Thornton

ABSTENTIONS –

Mann

RESOLVED –

1.   That the updated forecast outturn for 2021/22, which presents a small surplus, as detailed in section 4.9 of the officer’s report, be noted.

2.   That it be noted that any under spend in respect of 2021/22 will be used to supplement the Budget Risk Reserve, as detailed in section 4.10 of the officer’s report.

3.   That the overall revenue budget summary for 2022/23, as detailed in Appendix A of the officer’s report, be noted.

4.   That the 2022/23 Council Tax Requirement and financing, as detailed in Appendix D of the officer’s report, be approved.

5.   That the recommended increase of the Council’s share of Council Tax in each band be approved on the basis of a £5 increase for a Band ‘D’ property, in 2022/23 to £179.89, as detailed in section 4.46 of the officer’s report.

6.   That it be noted that all Band A to D Council Taxpayers will receive a payment of £150.00 towards the cost of their Council Tax bills and that a discretionary amount of funding will also be available to support some Council Taxpayers living in Band E to H properties, for which the details of the scheme are yet to be finalised, as detailed in sections 4.51 and 4.52 of the officer’s report.

7.   That the Local Council Tax Support scheme which remains unchanged for 2022/23, as detailed in section 4.50 of the officer’s report, be approved.

8.   That the use of the capital receipts flexibility to fund the costs of the Organisational Development (OD) programme, subject to finalising the terms of the OD programme, as detailed in section 4.58 of the officer’s report, be approved.

9.   That the Collection Fund and the Tax Base forecasts, as detailed in sections 4.48 and 4.49 of the officer’s report, be noted.

10.That the financial projections in the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2023/24 to 2025/26, as detailed in section 4.53 of the officer’s report, be noted.

11.That the estimates of reserves including maintaining the General Working Balance at £1.5m, as detailed in sections 4.63 to 4.65 and Appendix B of the officer’s report, be approved.

12.That the extension to the scope of the Service Redesign Reserve to support future service improvements promoted through the Organisational Development programme, as detailed in section 4.60 of the officer’s report, be approved.

13.That the budget risks and sensitivity analysis, as detailed in Appendix C, and the Chief Finance Officer’s assurances, as detailed in sections 4.66 – 4.78 of the officer’s report, be noted.