Issue - meetings

Report number:     CAB/WS/22/008

Portfolio holder: Councillor Sarah Broughton

Lead officer: Rachael Mann

(Note: This item constitutes a Key Decision in part where proposed increases in fees and charges contained in the report are greater than five percent (Attachment D, Appendix 6a refers). Other decisions emanating from the report will require final approval by Council on 22 February 2022.)  

(Note: This item constitutes a Key Decision in part where proposed increases in fees and charges contained in the report are greater than five percent (Attachment D, Appendix 6a refers). Other decisions emanating from the report will require final approval by Council on 22 February 2022. This is reflected in this decisions notice accordingly.) 

Recommended to Council (as part of the budget setting process):

(22 February 2022)

That:

1.       the revenue and capital budget for 2022 to 2026, plus 2021 to 2022 capital projects that subsequently require to be carried forward at the year end, attached at Attachment A to Report number: CAB/WS/22/008, and as detailed in Attachment D (Appendices 1-5), Attachment E (Appendices 1-4), Attachment F and Attachment H, be approved.

2.       Having taken into account the conclusions of the Director’s (Resources and Property) report on the adequacy of reserves and the robustness of budget estimates (Attachment C) and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Attachment D), particularly the Scenario Planning and Sensitivity Analysis (Attachment D, Appendix 5) and all other information contained in Report number: CAB/WS/22/008, the Cabinet recommends the level of Band D council tax for 2022 to 2023 be set at £187.11, an increase of £5 on the average West Suffolk council tax for 2021 to 2022. This recommendation is based on the option to harmonise the council tax levels of the two predecessor areas (Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury) by 2022 to 2023. The level of council tax beyond 2022 to 2023 will be set in accordance with the annual budget process for the relevant financial year.

3.       The Director (Resources and Property), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Property, be authorised to vire funds between existing Earmarked Reserves (as set out at Attachment D, Appendix 3) as deemed appropriate throughout the medium term financial planning period.

4.       Approval be given to the extension of the business rate reliefs set out in paragraphs 3.12 to 3.15 of Report number: CAB/WS/22/008, in support of West Suffolk’s business community.

Resolved:

That:

5.       Approval be given for the fees and charges price increases (as set out in Attachment D appendix 6a).

Recommended to Council (as part of the budget setting process):

(22 February 2022)

That:

6.       Approval be given to the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (as set out in Attachment G).

The Cabinet considered this report, which presented the proposals for Budget and Council Tax Setting in 2022 to 2023 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2022 to 2026.

Councillor Sarah Broughton, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Property, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that Report number: CAB/WS/22/008 provided details of the Council’s proposed revenue and capital budgets for 2022 to 2023 and in the medium term, and the Cabinet was required to recommend to Council approval of the 2022 to 2023 budget for the authority, including establishing the level of council tax required to help fund the Council’s activities over the next year. 

As minuted under minute 327. above, the Cabinet supported the key budget assumptions and proposals for securing a balanced budget for 2022 to 2023, as previously considered and recommended by the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee and incorporated into Report number: CAB/WS/22/005.

West Suffolk Council had an exemplary track record in robust financial management which had meant it had continued to deliver high quality services as well as meeting the strategic vision of the authority.

This was despite a series of challenges. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic which had not only reduced income (Government policy had been that councils created income to supplement reduction in national funding) but also costs to the Council in playing its role to support communities and businesses. National finances had been reduced significantly over the last decade for local councils and added burdens had been placed on authorities too during this time.

The 2022 to 2023 budget had been created not only to be balanced and sustainable but as an investment in the priorities of the district’s residents and businesses. It was designed to make the communities of West Suffolk greener, healthier and more prosperous.

Members considered the report in detail, which included the following issues for securing a balanced budget for 2022 to 2023 and plans for the medium term from 2022 to 2026, together with corresponding detailed appendices:

Section 1:    Summary: which included reference to the Council’s proposed new £9 million investment in a range of initiatives to help meet priorities that would contribute to achieving the aspiration of zero carbon emissions by 2030; progressing its health and wellbeing agenda; and a proposed £1.3 million (2022 to 2026) for the upkeep of the district’s open spaces, parks and other leisure attractions

Section 2:    Context: which included reference to the Council’s robust financial planning and management enabling the Council to deliver both services and the strategic aims of West Suffolk despite the pressures on local government finances; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Council’s finances, including the role of the Council in supporting residents and businesses throughout the pandemic; ‘Investing in our Growth Agenda’; the Council’s transformation programme; and further detail on the Council’s plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030

Section 3:    Provisional local government finance settlement: which included reference to the Revenue Support Grant and Rural Services Delivery Grant; the Lower  ...  view the full minutes text for item 330