Issue - meetings

To agree and set the Council's medium term planning approach and recommend the 2013/14 Council Tax and Budget to Council

Della Simmons (parent of a child at First Steps Children’s Centre) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 11 and on the Council's website] referred to the proposed budget cuts to children’s centres and presented a petition of 280 signatures asking for Cabinet to reconsider the proposed cuts to children’s centres.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 14 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to reconsider the proposals to cut the budget for children’s centres.  She referred to the section on the Victoria Hall on page 56 of the papers and pointed out that there was still no business plan for saving the Hall, nor had there been any analysis of the consultation which had taken place in November 2012.  Councillor Jackson then referred to the Affordable Housing section on page 55 of the report.  She supported the allocation of £550K for this, but asked for more detail of how the money would be used.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement explained the concerns of the Conservative Group over some issues and gave notice that the Group would present some amendments to the Budget, although he did not anticipate that these would be significant.  He particularly emphasised the need to address the problem of potholes.

Councillor Ben Stephens in an ad hoc statement congratulated the Cabinet for its prioritisation of supporting the local economy, in particular for entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Peter Duppa-Miller (Secretary to the Town and Parish Councils Association) in an ad hoc statement thanked officers for keeping the association informed during the budget process.

Councillor Geoff Ward in an ad hoc statement expressed concern over the proposed 30% cut in public protection which he felt would leave the Council very vulnerable in an emergency.  He also objected to the proposed cuts in pest control.

Councillor David Bellotti introduced the item.  He referred to an additional paper which had been placed into the public gallery before the meeting [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 12 and on the Council's website] which listed a number of small changes in wording and content of the published report.  He moved an amended motion which included the points from the additional paper.

Councillor Bellotti explained that the proposals would protect front-line services, would deliver a zero Council Tax rise, and would invest in homes and jobs across the area.  All this was against the background of government grants which, over 3 years, had reduced by £30M.

He was delighted that the proposed budget had avoided any cuts to bus services or the youth service.  He was delighted that housing would continue to grow because of Bath Western Riverside and the Radstock Regeneration.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the budget proposal.  He reminded the Cabinet that the Council had been able to maintain strong reserves by delivering over £25M  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157