Issue - meetings

The report papers for this item can be found on pages 1-69 of the Cabinet papers from 16 February 2021 Special Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet made the following recommendations:

(a) That a net budget requirement of £15,041,200 for 2021-22 be approved.

(b) That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £165.81 to £170.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2021-22.

(c) That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £2,099,300 be approved to help fund the 2021-22 budget.

(d) Should the final settlement differ from the draft settlement, the sum in 3.1 (c) above be adjusted accordingly.

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

Two Budget motions have been submitted by Cllr Brown and Cllr Moss respectively. These motions are attached and if duly seconded will be debated as part of the Budget item debate.

Cllr Wilding was invited to introduce the report. Cllr Wilding then moved the recommendations which were seconded by Cllr Lintill.

Cllr Brown then introduced his amendment motion detailed in the agenda pack which was seconded by Cllr O’Kelly.

Cllr Wilding as Cabinet Member for Finance responded to the proposal first. He asked whether pension and employee costs had been considered and if they had whether they had been benchmarked. He explained that a PID could be brought forward at any point once the proposal had been fully costed.

Cllr Plant as Cabinet Member for the Environment then responded. She noted that the proposal contained some good ideas. She explained that a consultant was already instructed to consider all of the council owned properties and a new post would need further consideration by the Environment Panel and Cabinet. She added that consideration should be given to where the proposal overlaps with work being undertaken, where the proposals rely on central government funding and where the proposals relate to discretionary spending items which would need to be discussed under the Future Services Framework.

Cllr Plant proposed the following counter motion:

That these motions be passed to the Environment Panel for its detailed consideration and for Environment Panel to subsequently advise Cabinet on the way forward.

The counter motion was seconded by Cllr Lintill.

Cllr Plowman explained he supported the amendment motion as it addressed the need to take action on Climate Change.

Cllr Hobbs explained that he supported the counter motion as the Environment Panel would be able to work on the proposals and put forward a PID if required.

Cllr Elliott asked that the salary of proposed posts be reconsidered in order to attract someone with the right skill set.

Cllr O’Kelly explained that she supported the amendment motion as it would give the Environment Panel a clear steer on its focus.

Cllr Bowden explained that he supported the amendment motion as allocating funding demonstrates support for action on the Climate Emergency.

Cllr Donna Johnson explained that she saw the proposal as an investment rather than an expense.

Cllr Sharp explained that the amendment motion would support the need for behaviour change.

Cllr Briscoe explained that the amendment motion was premature in being brought before Full Council.

Cllr Lintill explained that she agreed with Cllr Hobbs and supported Cllr Plant’s counter motion. She added that Cllr Elliott’s salary comment could then be addressed by the Environment Panel.

Cllr Purnell explained that she felt the amendment motion should be allocated to the Environment Panel and worked up to a full Business Plan before being considered any further by Cabinet or Full Council.

Cllr Sutton explained that he did not oppose the amendment motion in principle but that it would be better placed discussed by the Environment Panel. He added that consideration needed to be given to where the funding would come from and the impact that would have on other areas the council funds.

Cllr Oakley aired caution in overcommitting to something  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82

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

1.    That the Cabinet recommends to the Council:

(a)  That a net budget requirement of £15,041,200 for 2021-22 be approved.

(b)  That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £165.81 to £170.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2021-22.

(c)  That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £2,099,300 be approved to help fund the 2021-22 budget.

(d)  Should the final settlement differ from the draft settlement, the sum in 3.1 (c) above be adjusted accordingly.

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

2.     That the Cabinet further notes:

(a)   The current estimated resources position set in appendix 2 of the agenda report, and

(b)   The budget variances included in the Draft Budget Spending Plan as set out in appendix 1b of the agenda report.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,041,200 for 2021-22 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £165.81 to £170.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2021-22.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £2,099,300 be approved to help fund the 2021-22 budget.

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

RESOLVED

a)    That the current estimated resources position set in appendix 2 of the agenda report as amended, and

b)    the budget variances included in the Draft Budget Spending Plan as set out in appendix 1b of the agenda report be noted.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item. Mr Ward clarified that the draft Budget had been made with reference to the draft Government Settlement which is now confirmed without further change. With regard to the Covid Support Grant for Local Council Tax support (page 3 of the agenda pack) when the Budget Task and Finish Group had received its update it was intended that the Grant be put in reserves. However, it will now form part of the main Budget. Mr Ward added that the council had been approached by West Sussex County Council regarding a county wide Council Tax Hardship Scheme working across the districts and boroughs.

Mr Ward then provided points of clarification raised by members. With regard to the incremental drift (page 18 of the pack) the figure of £100,000 relates to staff progressing through salary spinal points which are accounted for each year.

In a vote the following recommendations and resolutions were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,041,200 for 2021-22 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £165.81 to £170.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2021-22.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £2,099,300 be approved to help fund the 2021-22 budget.

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

RESOLVED

a)    That the current estimated resources position set in appendix 2 of the agenda report as amended, and

b)    the budget variances included in the Draft Budget Spending Plan as set out in appendix 1b of the agenda report be noted.