Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of Report

To inform the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2015-16, to approve the 2015-16 budget strategy and to agree the budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2015-16 budget.

To present the most recent Medium Term Revenue Plan (MTRP).

To consider the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015-16.

To agree the Council’s approach to Business Rates pooling for 2015-16.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To note the updated MTRP for the Council’s revenue budget for 2015-16 to 2019-20.

1.2         To endorse the overall 2015-16 budget strategy and service and financial planning process set out in the report.

1.3         To consider and agree the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2015-16 (Appendices 1 and 2).

1.4         To agree to consult on the retention of the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2015-16 and delegate authority to the Director of Resources in consultation with the lead member for Financial Management to make the final decision on the scheme.

1.5         To delegate authority to the Director of Resources in consultation with the lead member for Financial Management to make the final decision on Business Rates pooling for 2015-16.

Resolved

(1)          That the updated Medium Term Revenue Plan for the Council’s revenue budget for 2015-16 to 2019-20 be noted.

(2)          That the overall 2015-16 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be endorsed.

(3)          That the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2015-16 (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(4)          That agreement be given to consult on the retention of the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2015-16 and authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to make the final decision on the scheme.

(5)          That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to make the final decision on Business Rates pooling for 2015-16.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which informed the Executive of the service and financial planning process for 2015-16, to approve the 2015-16 budget strategy and to agree the budget guidelines for issue to service managers to enable the production of the 2015-16 budget.

The report also presented the most recent Medium Term Revenue Plan (MTRP), sought consideration of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015-16 and agreement of the Council’s approach to Business Rates pooling for 2015-16.

Resolved

(1)          That the updated Medium Term Revenue Plan for the Council’s revenue budget for 2015-16 to 2019-20 be noted.

(2)          That the overall 2015-16 budget strategy and service and financial planning process be endorsed.

(3)          That the proposed budget guidelines and timetable for 2015-16 (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be agreed.

(4)          That agreement be given to consult on the retention of the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for 2015-16 and authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to make the final decision on the scheme.

(5)          That authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Financial Management, to make the final decision on Business Rates pooling for 2015-16.

Reasons

The Council needs to set guidelines and a timetable for the preparation of draft estimates for 2015-16. These guidelines should support the objectives contained in the Business Plan, Service Plans and the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Alternative Options

Option 1: To disagree with the recommendations set out above. This is rejected as it will unnecessarily delay the formulation of the detailed budget for 2015-16.