Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed Councillor David Dickinson following his recent recovery from an operation. He also referred to Councillor Mark Perks recent illness and, on behalf of all Members, would send their best wishes for his speedy recovery.

RESOLVED - that the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 January 2015 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The Mayor thanked those who had supported his Charity Ball in February which had raised over £5,000 towards his chosen charities. He also updated Members on other forthcoming fundraising events.

The Mayor invited Members to join him on Monday 9 March at 10.00am at Union St Offices for the hoisting of the flag to mark Commonwealth Day.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the relevant Councillor. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question.

There were no public questions.

To seek approval to recommendations from the Executive contained in a report of the Chief Executive and within the appendices listed below.

Members are reminded that there is now a requirement under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 2014 to record how all councillors have voted on decisions at budget setting meetings, including any proposed amendments.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, presented the Executive’s budget proposals for 2015/16.

The proposed budget would enable the successful delivery of the Corporate Strategy based on the following priorities:

·         Involving residents in improving their local area and equality of access for all.

·         Clean safe and healthy communities

·         An ambitious council that does more  to meet the needs of residents and the local area; and

·         A strong local economy

In summary, the budget proposals put forward by the Executive would:

·         Freeze Council Tax for a third year in 2015/16.

·         Address the previously forecasted budget deficit position for 2015/16 in advance of the year, delivering £0.708m worth of budget savings.

·         Contains headroom of £0.095m in the budget for 2014/15 to fund recurring new budget growth investment.

·         Does not contain cuts to front line services.

·         Delivers Revenue and Capital New Investments totalling £5.020m.

·         Brings the total committed to New Investments since 2013/14 to £9.163m.

·         Is consistent with the Corporate Priorities and aims to bring income into the Council.

·         Seeks to bridge the budget gap by generating additional income.

·         Is consistent with the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

·         Minimises the Council’s borrowing commitment to fund the Capital Programme.

The following appendices were appended to the main report on the General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax for 2015/16, providing supporting information to the budget proposals:

Appendix A1 Formal Council Tax Resolution 2015/16

Appendix A2 Council’s Pay Policy 2015/16

Appendix A3 Fees and Charges Income 2015/16

Appendix A4 Proposed Revised Market Rents wef 01/04/15

Appendix B1 Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2017/18

Appendix B2 Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2017/18 Financing

Appendix B3Developers’ Contributions 2015/16 to 2017/18

Appendix CBudget Investment Package 2015/16

Appendix C1Budget Investment – Project Mandates

Appendix D Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators  2015/16 to 2017/18

Appendix E Statutory Financial Officer Report

Appendix F Medium Term Financial Strategy 2015/16 to 2017/18

Appendix G Significant Budget Movements 2014/15 to 2015/16

Appendix H Special Expenses /Parish Precepts (a revised Appendix H was circulated at the meeting)

Appendix I Budget Consultation 2015/16

Appendix J Assessing the Impact of 2015/16 Budget Proposals

Appendix K - Staffing Changes Consequent to the Budget Proposals and Corporate Plan, a confidential report, not for disclosure.

In presenting the report, Councillor Wilson referred to the Council’s reasonably resilient financial position, despite cuts in resources nationally. This was due to the Council decision to purchase Market Walk Shopping Centre in November 2013 which had brought in an additional £1m in income. The Medium Term Financial Strategy detailed how the Council was planning to make efficiencies and savings and increase income in the threes year up until 2017/18. Two key investments for the Council were the new Youth Zone and also the Extra Care Dementia Unit.

Councillor Paul Leadbetter then presented the Conservative Group’s Alternative Budget report which included:

·         eight new investment proposals totalling £311,000

·         the removal of £209,000 of the Labour Group’s revenue proposals

·         the removal of £100,000 being set aside from the New Homes Bonus to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.C.221