Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were none.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were none.  

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2022 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2022 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To note any public questions received.

Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, 7 December 2022.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at the meeting.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors.

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received.

To receive any references from Council and/or other Committees or Panels.

RESOLVED: To note that there were none.

Members received the Draft Revenue Budget 2023/24 and Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/24 to 2025/26.

The report set out the draft revenue budget for 2023/24 and draft MTFS for 2023/24 to 2025/26.  The budget and MTFS would be brought back to Cabinet in February 2023 for final approval and recommendation to Council.

In the discussion that ensued, Members made comments and raised the following questions:

·                 citing Table 1 of the report, had income growth projections for 2024-2025 been removed?

·                 the budget that was set in February 2022 had flexibility in the use of reserves to address additional pressures.  Was this still the same?

·                 within the draft budget even after raising taxes to the limit of 4.99%, there is still a gap set at around £10m.  As the draft budget consultation will not include proposals to reduce the £10m budget gap it will mean that any future proposals will require their own consultations, with a greater amount required to have the full year impact.  What would be the financial options in February 2023 to set a balanced budget taking consideration of the full year impacts on unknown proposals, and would that entail closing some services?      

·                 with the rise in the cost of adult social care, would reserves be used to fund any additional costs?

·                 what would be the financial implications if Council Tax was not increased?

·                 had discussions on consultations taken place yet and what was likely to be consulted on?

·                 would there be changes in fees and charges, and if so, what percentage increases were being considered?

In response, the Director of Finance and Assurance advised as follows:

·                 some of the income growth projections for 2024-2025 had been removed, as inflation had risen sharply over the past year, as some costs had materialised.

·                 it was not ideal to have a budget deficit and the Council was legally obligated to have a balanced budget.  The biggest financial outlay was the pay award, which took into account inflation.  The pay award had risen from 2% to 6% for the financial year 2022-2023.  Reserves would be used prudentially.  At the moment, it was envisaged that no services would close.

·                 the costs for adult social care were forecast to remain the same, and it was not expected that reserves would be used to fund it. Furthermore, not the full amount had been spent in the previous financial year.

·                 if Council Tax was not increased, the Council would struggle to generate more revenue, and would have to rely on savings to fill any deficit.

·                 work had been ongoing on consultations, which would be undertaken separately.  Contingency plans had been factored into the budget, with the realisation of a budget gap, which required filling.

·                 from January 2023, fees and charges would rise by between 7% and 10%.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Members received the Draft Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26.

The report set out the draft General Fund capital proposals which had been proposed as part of the 2023/24 budget process.

In the discussion that ensued, Members asked if the sum of £1.5m quoted on Table 2, of the Report under resources, would be added to the revenue budget.

The Head of Strategic and Technical Finance advised that the details were shown on Table 5 of the Report, and further details in the appendix.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.