Decision details

Cabinet received a report presenting budget proposals for 2013/14 through to 2022/23, in line with the provisional local government finance settlement for 2013/14 and in advance of some Department for Education specific grants being announced.  The report contained three key sections and set out proposals for consultation to enable Cabinet at its meeting on 25 February to make recommendations to be made to the meeting of Full Council on 6 March 2013:

·         Cabinet report and summary of council funding implications, including proposals on council tax;

·         The draft MTFS, including capital strategy, asset management plan and Treasury Strategy. This will allow consultation to take place on these elements; and

·         The budget consultation document to enable scrutiny, stakeholder and public consultation.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to agree:

1.      The following as the basis for the next stage of the budget consultation and in light of the announcement of the local government provisional settlement for 2013/14:

a)      That the MTFS is set in the context of the council priorities.

b)      The Budget monitoring report as the latest probable outturn position for 2012/13.

c)      The draft revenue budget for 2013/14 and indicative figures for 2014/15 to 2022/23 (including the capacity bids and saving proposals).

d)      The draft capital programme for 2013/14 to 2022/23 and associated capital strategy, treasury strategy and asset management plan.

e)      The proposed council tax freeze in 2013/14 and indicative increases for planning purposes of 2% for 2014/15 to 2022/23.

f)       To spend at the level of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2013/14 to 2022/23.

g)      The proposals for reserves and balances.

h)      The proposals for setting fees and charges for 2013/14 including the indicative fees and charge increases for 2014/15 and 2015/16.

i)        The proposal for the deferral of mandatory implementation of auto enrolment of pensions for employees until 30 September 2017.

2.      To approve the budget proposals as the basis to consult with Scrutiny, Staff, Unions, Stakeholders and the public;

3.      To note and have regard for the continuing uncertainty of national public finances, the impact that dwelling and business growth locally will have in future funding arrangements and the next Spending Round being published in the first half of 2013; and

4.      To note that government grants will not be confirmed until the final settlement is released in February 2013.

Cabinet further RESOLVED:

5.      To include, “Keeping our communities safe and cohesive”, as an additional council priority.

The Council must set a lawful and balanced budget.

The Council is required to set a Council Tax for 2013/14 within statutory prescribed timescales and in accordance with the local referendum requirements contained within the Localism Act 2011.

Before setting the level of Council Tax, the Council must have agreed a balanced budget.

Alternative levels of Council Tax increase and areas for growth/savings can be considered but this must be seen in the context of the Sustainable Community Strategy and other constraints, along with the loss of council tax freeze grant that any increase would lead to.

None.

None.