Agenda item

Report of Director of Resources

Purpose of report

The Council is required to produce a balanced budget for 2016/17 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 proposed budget and business plan for 2016/17 are presented as an integrated report to demonstrate that the Council adopts a strategic approach to managing all of its resources, ensuring that the delivery of the Council’s priorities for the district directs the allocation of financial resources.

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 and recommend the balanced budget to Full Council.

1.3       To recommend to Full Council a Council tax freeze.

1.4       To recommend to full council the proposed 2016/17 capital programme, see Appendix 5.

1.5       To note the latest Medium Term Revenue Plan (MTRP) for 2016/17 to 2020/1, at Appendix 3; this will be the basis of the work of the Budget Planning Committee for the following year. 

1.6       To recommend, subject to any further changes Members may wish to include tonight, the updated draft revenue budget for adoption by Full Council on 22 February 2016.

1.7       To delegate authority to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member for Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax to remain at the level recommended to Full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures, any changes to relating to Business Rates or as a result of any financial implications arising from recommendation 1.6, above.

1.8       To recommend the 2016/17 business plan and performance pledges to Full Council (detailed in Appendices 6 and 7 respectively).

1.9       To note the 2016/17 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment (detailed in Appendix 8).

Resolved

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

(2)           That Full Council be recommended to approve the balanced budget.

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

(4)          That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed 2016/17 capital programme (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(5)          That the latest Medium Term Revenue Plan (MTRP) for 2016/17 to 2020/21 be noted and it be further noted that this would be the basis of the work of the Budget Planning Committee for the following year. 

(6)          That no further changes be made and Full Council be recommended to approve the draft budget (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) at their meeting on 22 February 2016.

(7)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member for Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax to remain at the level recommended to Full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures and any changes to relating to Business Rates.

(8)          That Full Council be recommended to approve the 2016/17 business plan and performance pledges to Full Council (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(9)          That the 2016/17 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which sought consideration of the draft Budget and Corporate Business Plan 2016-2017.

The Council was required to produce a balanced budget for 2016/17 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 proposed budget and business plan for 2016/17 were presented as an integrated report to demonstrate that the Council adopts a strategic approach to managing all of its resources, ensuring that the delivery of the Council’s priorities for the district directs the allocation of financial resources.

Resolved

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

(2)           That Full Council be recommended to approve the balanced budget.

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

(4)          That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed 2016/17 capital programme (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(5)          That the latest Medium Term Revenue Plan (MTRP) for 2016/17 to 2020/21 be noted and it be further noted that this would be the basis of the work of the Budget Planning Committee for the following year. 

(6)          That no further changes be made and Full Council be recommended to approve the draft budget (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) at their meeting on 22 February 2016.

(7)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and Procurement, in consultation with Director of Resources and the Lead Member for Financial Management to amend the contributions to or from general fund balances to allow the Council Tax to remain at the level recommended to Full Council following the announcement of the final settlement figures and any changes to relating to Business Rates.

(8)          That Full Council be recommended to approve the 2016/17 business plan and performance pledges to Full Council (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(9)          That the 2016/17 Business Plan and Budget Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

Reasons

This report presents a final analysis of the Council’s draft revenue and capital budget and business plan for 2016/17. They will be presented together to Full Council on the 22 February to support the setting of the Council Tax.

It is a legal requirement to set a balanced budget and the recommendations as set out and directed by the corporate business plan represent what is believed to be the best way of achieving this.

Alternative options

Members could decide not to agree the recommendations or to present alternative budget proposals but that would run counter to the detailed budget setting process that has taken place as part of the formulation of this budget.