Decision details

Agreed as set out in the recommendations.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that:

2.1  The Cabinet recommends Council approves:-

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2019/20 of £113.10m and the individual service cash limits for 2019/20 as outlined in Annex 1.

b)  The savings and income generation plans outlined in Annex 2 in conjunction with the Equalities Impact Assessment Report in Annex 3 and thereby agrees to implement the Council’s draft Organisational Plan which has been presented to each of the relevant PDS Panels.

c)  To help protect front line services and meet additional pressures in Children’s Services, the budget includes a recommendation that Council Tax is increased by 2.95% in 2019/20 (an increase of £39.76 per Band D).

d)  An increase of 1% to Council Tax for the Adult Social Care Precept is approved in recognition of the current demands and financial pressures on this service. This is equivalent to an increase of £13.47 on a Band D property.

e)  The adequacy of Un-earmarked Reserves at £12.2m within a risk assessed range requirement of £11.9m - £13.1m.

f)  The Efficiency Strategy attached at Annex 4.

g)  The Capital Programme for 2019/20 of £78.591m including new and emerging capital bids outlined in Annex 5(i), planned sources of funding in 5.7.2, and notes the programme for 2020/21 to 2023/24 and that any wholly funded projects coming forward during the year will be added to the Capital Programme in line with the Budget Management Scheme.

h)  The delegation of implementation, subject to consultation where appropriate, of the capital programmes set out in Annex 5(ii) to Annex 5(iv) to the relevant Director in Consultation with the appropriate Portfolio Holder.

i)  The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocations and amendments outlined in Annex 5(v) and the addition of Alternative Education Provision to the Regulation 123 list.

j)  The Capital & Investment Strategy attached at Annex 6.

k)   The MRP Policy attached at Annex 7.

l)  The Capital Prudential Indicators outlined in 5.7.8

m)  The Annual Pay Policy Statement at Annex 9.

n)  The Council’s Organisational Plan at Annex 10

o)  The Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 shown in the following link:  http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/sitedocuments/Council-Tax-Benefits-and-Grants/CouncilTax/draft_bath_ne_someset_s13a_201920.pdf  and referred to in 5.3.4. 

2.2  That the Council include in its Council Tax setting, the precepts set and approved by other bodies including the local precepts of Town Councils, Parish Councils, and Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, and those of the Fire and Police Authorities.

2.3  That Cabinet note the S151 Officer’s report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves outlined in 5.6.

2.4  Authorise the Council’s S151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, to make any necessary changes to the draft budget proposal for submission to Council.

The rationale for the recommendations is contained throughout this report and the accompanying appendices.

The Council’s Section 151 Officer is the Director of Finance. As Section 151 Officer and Chief Financial Officer her duties include ensuring a prudent and balanced budget is set on time which properly takes into account the financial constraints and risks facing the Council.

The report and annexes also contain the other options that can be considered in making any recommendations.