Agenda item

Report of the Director of Finance and Assurance.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That

(1)               whilst being mindful of the results of the various consultations and equality impact assessments, the 2015/16 budget be approved to enable the Council Tax for 2015/16 to be set, Appendix 2 to the report refers;

(2)               the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) at Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(3)               the 2015/16 Schools’ Budget at Appendix 6 to the report be approved;

(4)               the 2015/16 Members’ Allowance Scheme at Appendix 13 to the report be approved;

(5)               the 2015/16 Annual Pay Policy Statement at Appendix 14 to the report be approved.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the increase in the estimated budget gap for the four year period 2015/16 to 2018/19 from £75m to £83m following the final 2015/16 Local Government Financial Settlement and revised projections of Revenue Support Grant from London Councils at paragraph 1.5 of the report be noted;

(2)               the current remaining budget gaps of £23.2m, £15.3m and £13.9m for 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 respectively, table 3 of the report refers, be noted;

(3)               the intention to increase Council Tax by 1.99% in 2015/16, paragraph 1.13 of the report refers, be noted;

(4)               the 2015/16 Public Health Budget, set out at Appendix 7 to the report, be noted;

(5)               the risk assessment,  Appendix 8 to the report refers, be agreed and referred to the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee for consideration and monitoring;

(6)               the sum of £6.601m Better Care Funding to be received by the Council in 2015/16, paragraph 1.29 of the report refers, be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council sets a balanced budget for 2015/16.

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.

[Call-in does not apply to the Recommendation(s) to Council and to the decision(s) that have been noted.]