Decision details

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report in approving the General Fund Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2017/18 be noted and that consideration be formally recorded.

(2)          That the 2017/18 General Fund Budget and 2017/18 Capital Programme (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That the Collection Fund Estimates (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)          That the 2017/18 business plan, public pledges and joint cycle of growth strategies (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved and authority be delegated to the Director of Operational Delivery, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any minor amendments to the strategies and corporate values as required before final publication in March 2017.

(5)          That the contents of the section 25 statement from the Chief Finance Officer (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) in relation to the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves.

(6)          That the impact of the proposed budget on reserves, including the use of reserves to fund a one-off pension fund contribution be noted and the list of reserves (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(7)          That the Treasury Management Strategy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) including the Capital Prudential Indicators 2017/18 – 2019/20 be approved.

(8)          That the statement of pay policy for 2017/18 (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) as required by the Localism Act be approved.

(9)          That it be noted that there is no change to the level of Empty Homes Premium for 2017/18, which will form a recommendation in the Council Tax Setting report.

(10)       That it be noted that there is no change to the council tax discounts for 2017/18, which will form part of the Council Tax setting report.

(11)       That agreement be given to opt-in to the LGA national Sector Led Body in order to negotiate a new External Audit Contract.

(12)       That the Business Rates 100% Rural Rate Relief Policy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and the following formal resolutions that underpin the policy be approved:

·         The Council award 100% rural rate relief to eligible ratepayers from 1 April 2017.

·         The Council through the National Non-Domestic Rate return process seeks full reimbursement of the actual cost under the rates retention scheme of granting this relief.

(13)       That the Local Newspapers Policy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and the following formal resolutions that underpin the policy be approved:

·         The Council award a £1,500 business rates discount for office space occupied by local newspapers, up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per hereditament, up to state aid limits for 2 years from 1 April 2017.

·         The Council through the National Non-Domestic Rate return process seeks full reimbursement of the actual cost under the rates retention scheme of granting this relief.

(14)       That the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book), effective from 1 April 2017, be approved.