Agenda item

The Cabinet, at its meeting on 13 February 2014, will consider a report on the council’s revenue budget 2014/15 and capital programme to 2018/19.

The report of the Head of Finance, which Cabinet will consider on 13 February 2013, was circulated to all councillors. Please bring this report to the meeting.

The recommendation of Cabinet will be circulated to councillors on Friday 14 February.

The chairman announced that new regulations would come into force on 25 February 2014 requiring councils to record the names of those councillors voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the budget, including amendments, and the council tax.  Although the regulations were not in force, she he would call for a named vote on each of these matters at this meeting.   

The chairman reminded councillors that they were not entitled to vote on any issue affecting the level or administration of the council tax or other decisions which might affect the making of any such calculation such as the budget, if they were over two months in arrears with their council tax payments.  Where such circumstances applied, councillors were under a statutory obligation to disclose the restriction placed on them and refrain from voting at the relevant meeting.  No councillor made any such declaration. 

Council noted the report of the Chief Finance Officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves.

Mr D Dodds, Cabinet member for finance, presented the Cabinet’s proposals for the revenue budget 2014/15 and capital programme to 2018/19. He advised that on 5 February 2014 the government announced the final 2014/15 local government settlement together with illustrative figures for 2015/16. The revised 2014/15 figure increased the funding due to the council in 2014/15 by £680.  As the change was insignificant, the provisional figures included in the budget report have not been changed. This change can be managed by an adjustment to the revenue smoothing reserve so there will be no change to the council tax requirement for 2014/15.

Mr D Dodds moved and Mrs E A Ducker seconded a motion to approve Cabinet’s recommendations as follows:

That Council:

i.        sets the revenue budget for 2014/15 as set out in appendix A.1 to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

ii.      approves the capital programme for 2014/15 to 2018/19 as set out in appendix D.1 to the report of the head of finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014, together with the capital growth bids set out in appendix D.2 to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

iii.    sets the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

iv.     approves the medium term financial plan to 2018/19 as set out in appendix F to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014

v.       allocates £1,000,000 to fund the Communities Capital Grant Scheme.

Mrs C Collett moved and Mr D Turner seconded an amendment to the above budget in the following terms:

That Council sets the revenue budget and capital programme taking account of the proposed changes as set out in the schedule - "opposition forum budget proposal"(attached to the minute book copy of these minutes).  to:

-   create a budget of £10,000 to fund a review of the provision and maintenance of burial ground and

 - freeze council tax for financial years 2014/15 and 2015/16.

 A number of councillors spoke in support of the amendment. The freeze in council tax for two years would allow the council to build up reserves in anticipation of further cuts to central government funding and the uncertainty surrounding New Homes Bonus funding. The review of the provision and maintenance of burial grounds was required to assess the current position, the implications of demand for different forms of burial and to ensure a fair and equitable system for all parish councils.  

A number of councillors spoke against the amendment. Freezing the council tax was unnecessary despite the uncertainty in government and New Homes Bonus funding as the council had sufficient reserves, had loaned funds to safeguard the future and should only charge residents for the cost of the services it provided. The proposed review of burial grounds could lead to further expenditure for the council for any area which was not its responsibility.      

The chairman called for a recorded vote on the amendment which was

lost with the votes recorded as follows:

Rev’d A Paterson, Mr A Rooke and Mrs P Slatter had left the meeting prior to the vote on the amendment.

The chairman called for a recorded vote on the motion which was carried with the votes recorded as follows:

Rev’d A Paterson, Mr A Rooke and Mrs P Slatter had left the meeting prior to the vote on the motion.

RESOLVED: to

1.            set the revenue budget for 2014/15 as set out in appendix A.1 to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

2.            approve the capital programme for 2014/15 to 2018/19 as set out in appendix D.1 to the report of the head of finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014, together with the capital growth bids set out in appendix D.2 to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

3.            set the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014;

4.            approve the medium term financial plan to 2018/19 as set out in appendix F to the report of the Head of Finance to Cabinet on 13 February 2014

5.            allocate £1,000,000 to fund the Communities Capital Grant Scheme.