Issue - meetings

Report of Interim Head of Finance and Procurement

Purpose of Report

The Council is required to produce a balanced budget for 2014-15 as the basis for calculating its level of Council Tax.  It 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. 

The first draft was reported to the Executive meeting on 2 December 2013.  The information has now been updated to reflect changes since then and, subject to any further changes. Members may wish to include tonight, this final draft will be used to prepare a final budget proposal to be presented to full Council on 24 February 2014.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To consider and approve the draft budget in the context of the Council’s service objectives and strategic priorities.

1.2       To approve the balanced budget.

1.3       To recommend to full council a Council tax freeze or amend the proposals contained within this report to recommend a different level of Council Tax.

1.4       To agree the proposed 2014-15 capital programme (Appendix 2).

1.5       To agree using 2013-14 retained business rates of £75,000 to pump prime the business rates support team as set out in paragraph 3.18.

1.6       To endorse the draft 5 year strategy, 2014-15 business plan and public pledges (Appendices 3, 4 and 5) be endorsed and to delegate authority to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Performance and Customers to make any minor amendments to the plan or pledges as required before final publication in March 2014.

1.7       To note the 2014-15 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix 6).

1.8       To note the latest MTFS financial forecast is currently being refreshed and will be reported back to the Executive once this exercise has been completed. 

1.9       To request officers to produce the formal 2014-15 budget book on the basis of the attached report and associated appendices. 

1.10    To recommend, subject to any further changes Members may wish to include tonight, the updated budget for adoption by the Council on 24 February 2014.

1.11    To delegate authority to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax increase to remain at the level recommended by Executive to full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures and as a result of any financial implications arising from recommendation 1.10.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft budget in the context of the Council’s service objectives and strategic priorities be approved.

(2)           That the balanced budget be approved.

(3)          That Full council be recommended to approve a Council tax freeze.

(4)          That the proposed 2014-15 capital programme (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(5)          That agreement be given to use 2013-14 retained business rates of £75,000 to pump prime the business rates support team.

(6)          That the draft 5 year strategy, 2014-15 business plan and public pledges, amended as tabled at the meeing (annexes to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed and authority delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Performance and Customers to make any minor amendments to the plan or pledges as required before final publication in March 2014.

(7)          That the 2014-15 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

(8)          That it be noted that the latest MTFS financial forecast was currently being refreshed and would be reported back to the Executive once this exercise had been completed. 

(9)          That officers be requested to produce the formal 2014-15 budget book on the basis of the report and associated appendices (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book). 

(10)       That the updated budget be recommended for adoption by the Council on 24 February 2014.

(11)       That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax increase to remain at the level recommended by Executive to full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures and as a result of any financial implications arising from resolution (10).

The Interim Head of Finance and Procurement submitted a report which provided the second and final opportunity for the Executive to shape and refine the interaction between corporate service plans and financial matters before the final budget would be presented to full Council on 24 February 2014.

Executive thanked and commended the Lead Member for Financial Management and Finance Officers for their hard work in producing a balanced budget.

In introducing the draft 5 year strategy, 2014-15 business plan and public pledges, the Lead Member for Performance highlighted the tabled amended public pledges that had been updated to include “Delivery of the Local Plan to provide a framework for sustainable housing, employment and infrastructure” and “Extend the Joint Working Programme to include new methods of service delivery and more services included in partnership”. A savings target of £500k within the agreed timescales had also been set.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft budget in the context of the Council’s service objectives and strategic priorities be approved.

(2)           That the balanced budget be approved.

(3)          That Full council be recommended to approve a Council tax freeze.

(4)          That the proposed 2014-15 capital programme (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(5)          That agreement be given to use 2013-14 retained business rates of £75,000 to pump prime the business rates support team.

(6)          That the draft 5 year strategy, 2014-15 business plan and public pledges, amended as tabled at the meeting (annexes to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed and authority delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Performance and Customers to make any minor amendments to the plan or pledges as required before final publication in March 2014.

(7)          That the 2014-15 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

(8)          That it be noted that the latest MTFS financial forecast was currently being refreshed and would be reported back to the Executive once this exercise had been completed. 

(9)          That officers be requested to produce the formal 2014-15 budget book on the basis of the report and associated appendices (annex to the minutes as set out in the Minute Book). 

(10)       That the updated budget be recommended for adoption by the Council on 24 February 2014.

(11)       That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax increase to remain at the level recommended by Executive to full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures and as a result of any financial implications arising from resolution (10).

Reasons

The Council is required to produce a balanced budget for 2014-15 as the basis for calculating its level of Council Tax.  It has to base that budget on its plans for service delivery during the year, recognising any changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89