Agenda item

Report of the Director of Finance

Having considered the confidential appendix, it was   

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That

(1)          the 2019/20 budget be approved, being mindful of the results of the various consultations and equality impact assessments, to enable the Council Tax for 2019/20 to be set (Appendix 2);

(2)          the Model Council Tax Resolution 2019/20 be approved as set out at Appendix 11;

(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 with a period of 21 days following the Council’s decision;

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

(5)          the addition of £2.627m to the Social Care Reserve be noted as set out in paragraph 1.8;

(6)          the balanced budget position for 2019/20 be noted, and the budget gaps of £16.795m and £9.345m for 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively (table 4);

(7)          the intention to increase Council Tax by 2.99% in 2019/20 be noted (paragraph 1.23);

(8)          the proposal to increase Council Tax by a further 2.0% in 2019/20 be noted in respect of the Adult Social Care Precept (paragraph 1.23).

(9)          the changes to schools funding for 2019/20 as set out in paragraphs 1.57 to 1.63 and Appendix 6 be noted;

(10)       the assumed funding for the protection of social care in 2019/20 through the BCF as set out in paragraphs 1.62 to 1.68 be noted;

(11)       the draft Public Health budget for 2019/20 (Appendix 7) be approved;

(12)       all resident charges relating to child burials (paragraph 1.69, Appendix 18) be removed;

(13)       the 2019/20 Members’ Allowance Scheme to Council be approved (Appendix 12);

(14)       the 2019/20 Annual Pay Policy Statement for Council be approved (Appendix 13);

(15)       the Capital Receipts Flexibility Strategy be approved (Appendix 15);

(16)       the comments from the various stakeholder meetings (Appendix 14) be noted.

[Call-in does not apply to the decisions above as they are reserved to full Council.]

RESOLVED:  That with regard to the London Business Rates Pooling Pilot,  the following be approved:

(a)          participation in the second year of the London Business Rates Pilot Pool with effect from 1 April 2019 (to 31 March 2020) and delegation to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, and the Monitoring Officer, to finalise the details for the continuation of the pilot pool;

(b)          delegation to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and the Monitoring Officer of authority to consider such consultative reports as the Lead Authority may circulate and to respond on behalf of the authority with regard to any recommendations and in particular, proposals for projects to be approved for funding from the Strategic Investment Pot.

Reason for Recommendations:  To ensure that the Council sets a balanced budget for 2019/20.

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.