Agenda item

Report No: COU/FH/15/004

Cabinet Member: Cllr Stephen Edwards    Lead Officer: Rachael Mann

Members are reminded that in accordance with regulations introduced last year, there will be a recorded vote on this item.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Governance and Performance presented this report which introduced the Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2015/2016.

The Council considered Report No. COU/FH/15/004 (previously circulated) which recommended that the level of Band D Council Tax for 2015/2016 be set at the same level as for 2014/2015, at £137.43.  This report also set out the details of the Council’s proposed revenue and capital budgets for 2015/2016. It was confirmed that any budget gap and a decision taken on whether to freeze council tax would be considered each year.

The Council was required to consider the budget for the District Council, and set the level of Council Tax for 2015/2016 to fund this budget. The proposed 2015/2016 net revenue budget was £8.288m compared to the 2014/2015 net budget of £8.476m. It is estimated that £11.694m would be spent on the Council’s capital programme during 2015/2016.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Governance and Performance stated that the budget gap of £1.1m was in part due to the reduction in Revenue Support Grant by 49%. Attachment B to the report gave details of how these savings would be met.

The Council was required, in considering the budget, to take note of the report by the Head of Resources and Performance (S151 Officer) at Attachment C to the report. The conclusion of the Head of Resources and Performance was that, overall, the estimates were robust, taking into account known risks and mitigating strategies and the reserves were adequate for the 2014/2015 budget plans. Council were asked to have regard to this report when making their decisions on the 2015/2016 budget.

The Council had conducted a public consultation last summer by holding five public focus groups and four town/parish focus groups.  The Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee had also been involved and contributed at an early stage in the budget setting process.

Councillor Stephen Edwards thanked all staff and members for their work in achieving this proposed budget.  

Councillor Rona Burt responded to a question by confirming that pre planning charges would be introduced in June 2015.

It was moved by Councillor Stephen Edwards and seconded by Councillor Tony Wheble. Upon the motion being put to a vote, 22 Members voted for the motion, none against and no abstentions. The names of those Members voting for, against and abstaining being recorded as follows:-Members voted as follows:-

For the motion:

Against the motion:

None

Abstention:

None

RESOLVED:

That:-

(1)     Having taken into account the information received by Cabinet on 17 February 2015 (report CAB/FH/15/006) including the Report by the Head of Resources and Performance (S151 Officer) set out in Attachment C, together with the up to date information and advice contained in this report, the level of Band D Council Tax for 2015/2016 be set at £137.43.

(2)     Subject to (1) above, the following formal Council Tax resolution be adopted:-

                      i.        The revenue and capital budget for 2015/2016 attached at Attachment A, and as detailed in Attachment D, Appendix 1-5 and Attachment E, be approved;

                    ii.        The MTFS projected budget position for 2016/2017 to 2018/2019, as detailed in Attachment D Appendix 1, be noted;

                   iii.        A general fund balance of £2 million be agreed to be maintained, as detailed in paragraph 1.8.2;

                   iv.        The statutory calculations under Section 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, attached as Attachment H, be noted;

                    v.        The Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police Authority precepts issued to Forest Heath District Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and outlined at paragraphs 3.5 and 3.6 below, be noted;

                   vi.        In accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the amounts shown in Schedule D of Attachment G be agreed as the amount of Council Tax for the year 2015/2016 for each of the categories of dwellings shown; and

The Head of Resources and Performance be authorised to amend where necessary the amounts in Attachment G and H in accordance with any changes notified by Newmarket Town Council to the provisional precept.

(3)     The Head of Resources and Performance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Governance and Performance be authorised to transfer any surplus on the 2014/2015 revenue budget to the Invest to Save Reserve as detailed in paragraph 1.8.4, and to vire funds between existing Earmarked Reserves (as set out at Attachment D, Appendix 3) as deemed appropriate throughout the year.

(4)     The use of the Council’s discretionary power (S47 Local Government Finance Act) to provide the transitional relief be approved and delegated authority be given to the Head of Resources and Performance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, to determine the final guidelines for the operation of the transitional relief for 2015/16 and 2016/17 following the current scheme and guidance issued by Government, as set out in paragraphs 1.4.3 to 1.4.7 of Report COU/FH/15/004.