Issue - meetings

** Please note that the appendices to this report will follow as they are currently being finalised **

Report of Interim Head of Finance and Procurement and Head of Transformation

Purpose of Report

The Council has to adopt a budget and business plan for 2014/15 as the basis for calculating its level of Council Tax and has to base that budget on its plans for service delivery during the year, recognising any changes in service demand that may arise in future years.  This is the first of two opportunities that the Executive has to shape and refine the appending plans before the final budget is presented to the Council on 24 February 2014.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To consider the draft revenue budget (detailed in Appendix A);

1.2      To consider the recommendations of the Budget Planning Committee review of the capital programme that was considered at the Budget Planning Committee meetings in November 2013 and detailed in Appendix B;

1.3      To note that the final local government finance settlement has still not yet been announced and that the implications of this will need to be fully considered once the announcement has been made

1.4   To advise of any other matters they would like taken into consideration in producing a balanced budget for the meeting of the Executive on 3rd February 2014;

1.5         To endorse the passporting of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) grant to local preceptors

1.6         To agree the draft medium term strategic priorities (as set out in Appendix C) for public consultation.

1.7         To agree the objectives and targets for the 2014/15 annual business plan (as set out in Appendix D) for public consultation alongside the 2014/15 budget.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft revenue budget be noted.  

(2)          That the recommendations of the Budget Planning Committee review of the capital programme that was considered at the Budget Planning Committee meetings in November 2013 be supported, subject to the programme being open to any other appropriate bids.

(3)          That it be noted that the final local government finance settlement had still not yet been announced and that the implications of this would  need to be fully considered once the announcement has been made

(4)          That no other matters to be taken into consideration in producing a balanced budget for the meeting of the Executive on 3 February 2014 be identified.

(5)          That the passporting of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) grant to local preceptors be endorsed.

(6)          That the draft medium term strategic priorities be agreed for public consultation.

The Interim Head of Finance and Procurement and Head of Transformation submitted a report which provided the first of two opportunities for the Executive has to shape and refine the draft 2014/15 revenue and capital budget and business plan before the final budget was presented to the Council on 24 February 2014.

Councillor Nicholas Mawer, Chairman of the Budget Planning Committee, presented the Committee’s recommendations in relation to capital bids. In introducing the recommendations, he explained that the Committee had requested a report be submitted in due course  advising on the suitability of alternative funding methods such as loans and rural grants which could support capital bid proposals. The Committee was also considering establishing a Working Review Group to understand how the IT bids linked to the priorities within the Council’s IT Strategy.

In response to the address of Councillor Sean Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group, regarding the IT bids and Cooper School roof replacement bid, the Leader and Deputy Leader confirmed that bids were only submitted if the Lead Member was confident they would be of benefit to residents in Cherwell.  

Resolved

(1)          That the draft revenue budget be noted. 

(2)          That the recommendations of the Budget Planning Committee review of the capital programme that was considered at the Budget Planning Committee meetings in November 2013 be supported, subject to the programme being open to any other appropriate bids.

(3)          That it be noted that the final local government finance settlement had still not yet been announced and that the implications of this would  need to be fully considered once the announcement has been made

(4)          That no other matters to be taken into consideration in producing a balanced budget for the meeting of the Executive on 3 February 2014 be identified.

(5)          That the passporting of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) grant to local preceptors be endorsed.

(6)          That the draft medium term strategic priorities be agreed for public consultation.

Reasons

The Council has to adopt a budget and business plan for 2014/15 as the basis for calculating its level of Council Tax and has to base that budget on its plans for service delivery during the year, recognising any changes in service demand that may arise in future years.

Options Available

This is the draft budget and options for the overall budget for the council will be considered at its meeting in February.