Issue - meetings

Report number:     CAB/WS/23/008

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 21 February 2023.)

(Note: This item constituted a Key Decision in part where proposed increases in fees and charges contained in the report were greater than five percent (Attachment D, Appendix 6a refers).  Other decisions emanating from the report would require final approval by Council on 21 February 2023.  This was reflected in this Decisions Notice accordingly).

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

(21 February 2023):

1.           The revenue and capital budget for 2023 to 2027, plus 2022 to 2023 capital projects that subsequently require to be carried forward at the year end, attached at Attachment A and as detailed in Attachment D (Appendices 1-5), Attachment E, and Attachment F to Report number CAB/WS/23/008, 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/23/008, the Cabinet recommends the level of council tax for 2023 to 2024 be established at £192.06 for an average band D property  (the level of council tax beyond April 2024 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.           The Director (Resources and Property) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Property, be given delegated authority to formulate and implement in full, Government grant, discount or relief schemes (examples include but not limited to those set out in paragraphs 3.13-3.19 and 4.7-4.9 of Report number CAB/WS/23/008), so long as they are as a minimum, revenue cost neutral to the Council.

5.           The change to the Long Term Empty Property Premium set out in paragraphs 4.10 to 4.13, and to the further class of property not attracting the premium set out in paragraph 4.12 of Report number CAB/WS/23/008, be approved.

Resolved:

That:

6.           The fees and charges price increases (as set out in Attachment D appendix 6a of Report number CAB/WS/23/008), be approved.

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

(21 February 2023):

That:

7.           The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (as set out in Attachment F to Report number CAB/WS/23/008), be approved.

(Report number CAB/WS/23/008)

The Cabinet considered this report, which presented the proposals for Budget and Council Tax Setting in 2023 to 2024 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023 to 2027.

Councillor Sarah Broughton, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Property, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet, including that Report number CAB/WS/23/008 provided details of the Council’s proposed revenue and capital budgets for 2023 to 2024 and in the medium term and the Cabinet was required to recommend to Council, the approval of the 2023 to 2024 budget for the authority, including establishing the level of council tax required to help fund the Council’s activities over the next year.

As set out under minute 440. above, the Cabinet supported the key budget assumptions and proposals for securing a balanced budget for 2023 to 2024, as previously considered and recommended by the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee and incorporated into Report number CAB/WS/23/008.

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 and recovery which had not only reduced income through behavioural changes (Government policy had been that councils create income to supplement reduction in national funding) but also costs to the Council in playing its role to support communities and businesses. All UK authorities were now facing tough financial challenges caused by issues such as soaring inflation, cost of living and energy prices, the war in Ukraine and changes to the way communities spend which reduced income. National finances have also been reduced significantly over the last decade for local councils and added burdens have been placed on authorities too during this time.

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

This budget had been created to meet the needs of the Council’s strategic framework and benefit all West Suffolk. It would see the continuation of investments in a range of initiatives to meet priorities, such as meeting zero carbon emissions by 2030, following the authority declaring both climate and environmental emergencies. This investment built on years of carbon reduction initiatives by West Suffolk and its predecessor councils. Not only would this reduce the impact the Council had on the climate, but also actually produced a net income towards the cost of running much valued council services – a win-win for taxpayers and the environment.

The Council would continue to concentrate, with councillors, on its health and wellbeing agenda, including investing in its hubs, LifeLink, housing and families and communities work, as well as the hub network across West Suffolk, investing in new and better ways to work with our partners on the wellbeing of our residents.

In addition,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 443