Issue - meetings

The Council are requested to consider the report and its appendix as set out on pages 77-151 of the Cabinet agenda for 1 March 2022.

At the time of going to print the recommendations to Cabinet to recommend to Council were as follows:

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,015,600 for 2022-23 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £170.81 to £175.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2022-23.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £576,100 be approved to help fund the 2022-23 budget.

d)    The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d of the agenda report) be approved.

e)    That a local Council Tax Hardship Reliefs Scheme for 2022-23 giving an additional £150 deduction on council tax bills for relevant taxpayers in receipt of CTR as set out in paragraph 6.7 of this report, using the £159,916 grant received in 2021-22.

Amendment Budget Motions were received from Cllr Brown and Cllr Moss in line with the Motions Procedure as set out in the Constitution. If duly seconded they will be debated at the meeting. The amendments are attached to this agenda pack.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

Cllr Lintill was then invited to speak as Leader of the Council.

Cllr Moss was then invited to speak as Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Ward referred to the supplement pack, page 6 referring to the second line of Planning Services. He confirmed that there has been no cut in the budget for Planning Services. The figure related to the processing of CIL.

Cllr Brown then outlined his amendment seconded by Cllr Bangert which incorporated suggested changes by Cllr Dignum as follows:

To employ a full time Growth & Sustainability Officer to promote economic growth in the District by supporting local businesses and the creation of local apprenticeships and jobs - all in the context of supporting the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

1. Full Time, Two Year role (reviewed in year 2 to determine whether or not to incorporate into the base budget)

2. Working in the Economic Development Team (working closely with the Environment Team)

Funding for this temporary position to be drawn from reserves:

• Up to a maximum of £60,000 per year for two years

That the job specification for the position is presented to the Economic Development Panel meeting scheduled for July 2022 (to be rescheduled to May 2022) for approval to support the targets within the agreed corporate plan and to provide support to businesses in the sectors of renewable, retrofitting and the circular economy.

Cllr Dignum confirmed he would support the amendment motion subject to the inclusions of his suggestions above.

Cllr Purnell explained that she felt that this amendment motion and the next amendment motion should have come from officers not members. Cllr Page wished to note his support of Cllr Purnell’s comments.

Cllr Sharp spoke of transformation and changing practices. She supported the role.

Cllr Oakley explained that the Budget proposal showed the council was able to still support a number of discretionary services.

Cllr Donna Johnson spoke in support of the role for both addressing the Climate Emergency and economy. Cllr Plowman spoke in agreement.

Cllr Briscoe spoke in favour of the role.

Cllr Sutton asked for clarification of inflation on the Budget. Mr Ward explained that the Budget allowed for 5% increase in gas, 8% increase in electric and 10% in diesel. He explained that diesel prices were currently exceeding the rate. This would be monitored.

A recorded vote was held:

Cllr Apel – For

Cllr Bangert – For

Cllr Barrett – For

Cllr Barrie – For

Cllr Bell – For

Cllr Bowden – For

Cllr Brisbane – For

Cllr Briscoe – For

Cllr Brown – For

Cllr Dignum – For

Cllr Duncton - For

Cllr Elliott – Absent

Cllr Evans - For

Cllr Fowler – Absent

Cllr Graves – For

Cllr Hamilton – For

Cllr Hobbs - For

Cllr Donna Johnson – For

Cllr Tim Johnson – For

Cllr Lintill – For

Cllr Lishman – Absent

Cllr McAra – Against

Cllr Moss – For

Cllr Oakley – Abstain

Cllr O’Kelly – For

Cllr Page – Abstain

Cllr Palmer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendations to Full Council:

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,015,600 for 2022-23 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £170.81 to £175.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2022-23.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £576,100 be approved to help fund the 2022-23 budget.

d)    The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d of the agenda report) be approved.

e)    That a local Council Tax Hardship Reliefs Scheme for 2022-23 giving an additional £150 deduction on council tax bills for relevant taxpayers in receipt of CTR as set out in paragraph 6.7 of this report, using the £159,916 grant received in 2021-22.   

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,015,600 for 2022-23 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £170.81 to £175.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2022-23.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £576,100 be approved to help fund the 2022-23 budget.

d)    The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d of the agenda report) be approved.

e)    That a local Council Tax Hardship Reliefs Scheme for 2022-23 giving an additional £150 deduction on council tax bills for relevant taxpayers in receipt of CTR as set out in paragraph 6.7 of this report, using the £159,916 grant received in 2021-22.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

Cllr Sutton asked what the impact of the rise in inflation is on the council’s budget. Cllr Wilding confirmed that the net effect of inflation is around £22,000 and therefore not of significant impact.

Cllr Sutton also asked for clarification of whether there is a cut on the planning budget. Cllr Taylor explained that the impression given by the report is due to the way local authorities have to present their  accounts. It is a requirement of local authority accounting that any capital monies sent to third parties as grants or contributions must be shown in the revenue budget, such as CIL monies. If any of those monies come from an outside body they have to be shown in the service budget.

Cllr Dignum asked for further information of what the large income streams were under Cllr Sutton’s portfolio. Officers provided a written response to members after the meeting.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,015,600 for 2022-23 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £170.81 to £175.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2022-23.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £576,100 be approved to help fund the 2022-23 budget.

d)    The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d of the agenda report) be approved.

e)    That a local Council Tax Hardship Reliefs Scheme for 2022-23 giving an additional £150 deduction on council tax bills for relevant taxpayers in receipt of CTR as set out in paragraph 6.7 of this report, using the £159,916 grant received in 2021-22.