Agenda item

Members considered revisions to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19 in respect of that which had been previously reported to Cabinet on 3rd February 2016.

The Executive Director Finance and Resources referred to the final grant allocation which had been notified to the Council on 9th February 2016. This now included a transitional grant allocation of £118k for 2016/17 and £114k for 2017/18 to partially offset the impact of the reduction in Revenue Support Grant. It was noted that it was proposed that this funding be used to reduce the amount required from reserves to support the budget shortfall in 2016/17.

The Executive Director Finance and Resources also drew attention to the flexibility given to Shire District Councils to increase Council Tax  by £5 per Band D equivalent property without the requirement to hold a referendum. The income generated from the £5 charge would be approximately £43k. It was proposed that this is implemented for 2016/17 and the additional income used to reduce the amount required from reserves to support the budget shortfall in 2016/17.

Attention was also drawn to the further information which was likely to be available later in the year in relation to the Business Rates Retention Scheme.  In addition there  was a consultation paper on potential changes to the New Homes Bonus Scheme.

The revised recommendations to Council would bring together the recommendations from Cabinet on 3rd February (amended where appropriate) and the latest recommendations including the Council Tax resolutions and the Council’s Pay Policy. 

The Executive Director Finance and Resources drew Members’ attention to amended Schedules 1 and 2 to the Council Tax Resolutions Report.

Following discussion it was

RECOMMENDED:

(1)       that the fees and charges for 2016/17 (and garden waste for 2017/18) as detailed in appendix 1 (to the report to Cabinet on 3rd February 2016 ) be approved;

(2)       that the savings and additional income for 2016/17 of £401k as detailed in appendix 3 (to the report to Cabinet on 3rd February 2016 ) be approved;

(3)       that the unavoidable pressures for 2016/17 of £507k as detailed in appendix 4 to the report to Cabinet on 3rd February 2016) be approved;

(4)       that the Capital bids for 2016/17 of £280k as detailed in appendix 5 (to the report to Cabinet on 3rd February 2016) be approved;

(5)       that the payment of the Parish Council grant for 2016/17 of £13,800 be approved;

(6)       that the release from reserves of £849k in 2016/17 be approved;*

(7)       that the increase in Council tax by £5 (2.5%) per Band D equivalent for 2016/17  be approved;*

(8)       that the Pay Policy (attached as appendix 1 to the report to 24th February 2016) be approved; and

(9)       that the Council Tax Resolutions included at appendix 2 (to the report to Cabinet on 24th February 2016) be approved.

*Recommendations from 3rd February 2016 Cabinet meeting which are     changed by the report to 24th February 2016.