RESOLVED: That
(1) the draft budget for 2020/21 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2020/21 to 2022/23 be approved for general consultation as set out in Appendices 1C and 2 to the report so that Cabinet may later consider the budget in light of the consultation responses and the equality impact assessments before it was referred to Council in February 2020;
(2) the balanced budget position for 2020/21 and the budget gaps of £15.328m and £8.924m for 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively based on the scenario of a total Council Tax increase of 3.99% in 2020/21 only (table 2 of the report refers) be noted;
(3) the proposal to increase core Council Tax by 1.99% in 2020/21 (Table 2 and paragraph 1.22 of the report) be noted;
(4) the proposal to increase Council Tax by 2.0% in 2020/21 in respect of the Adult Social Care Precept (Table 2 and paragraph 1.22 of the report) be noted;
(5) there were no proposed structured changes to the schools funding formula for 2020/21, as set out in Appendix 3 and paragraphs 1.49 to 1.53 of the report, be noted;
(6) the draft Public Health budget for 2020/21, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, be approved;
(7) the assumed funding for the protection of social care 2020/21 through the BCF, as set out in paragraphs 1.57 to 1.60 of the report, be noted;
(8) the Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, to agree Harrow’s 2020/21 contribution to the London Borough’s Grant Scheme (paragraph 1.63 refers);
(9) it be noted that the London 75% Business Rate Retention Pilot would not continue in 2020/21 but the London Borough’s Leaders Committee had agreed to continue to informally post business rates across all London authorities in 2020/21, as set out in paragraph 1.9 of the report;
(10) 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 respond on behalf of the authority with regard to any recommendations from the informal business rates pool from 2020/21.
Reason for Decision: To ensure that the Council published a draft budget for 2020/21 and a draft 3 Year MTFS to 2022/23.
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.