Decision details

To recommend to Council

·         The proposed revenue budget 2020/21 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021 to 2022/23 to enable the Council Tax to be set

·         The Members’ Allowances Scheme

·         The 2020/21 Pay Policy Statement

·         The 2021/21 Schools Budget

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That

(1)          the 2020/21 budget be approved, being mindful of the results of the various consultations and equality impact assessments, to enable the Council Tax for 2020/21 to be set (Appendix 2 of the report refers);

(2)          the Model Council Tax Resolution 2020/21 be approved, as set out at Appendix 11 to the report;

(3)          in accordance with Section 38(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Chief Executive be instructed to place a notice in the local press of the amounts set under recommendation 2 above within a period of 21 days following the Council’s decision;

(4)          the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) be approved (Appendix 2);

(5)          the balanced budget position for 2020/21 and the budget gaps of £11.414m and £11.178m for 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively (table 6 refers) be noted;

(6)          the intention to increase Council Tax by 1.99% in 2020/21 (paragraph 1.23 refers) be noted;

(7)          the proposal to increase Council Tax by a further 2.0% in 2020/21 in respect of the Adult Social Care Precept (paragraph 1.23), be noted;

(8)          the changes to schools funding for 2020/21 as set out in paragraphs 1.51 to 1.55 and Appendix 6 of the report be noted;

(9)          the assumed funding for the protection of social care in 2020/21 through the BCF as set out in paragraphs 1.59 to 1.62 of the report, be noted;

(10)       the draft Public Health budget for 2020/21 (Appendix 7) be approved;

(11)       the 2020/21 Members’ Allowance Scheme be approved (Appendix 12);

(12)       the 2020/21 Annual Pay Policy Statement be approved (Appendix 13);

(13)        the Capital Receipts Flexibility Strategy be  approved (Appendix 14).

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was reserved to full Council.]

RESOLVED:  That

(14)       with regard to the informal London Business Rates Pooling agree resolutions 15 and 16 below:

(15)       participation in the informal London Business Rates Pool be approved with effect from 1 April 2020 (to 31 March 2021) and authority be delegated to the Director of Finance, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, and the Monitoring Officer, to finalise the details for the informal pool;

(16)       the Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and the Monitoring Officer to consider such consultative reports as the Lead Authority might circulate and to respond on behalf of the authority with regard to any recommendations.

Reason for Recommendations:  To ensure that the Council sets a balanced budget for 2020/21.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.