Issue - meetings

This report presents the Cabinet's revenue and capital budgets for the 2017/18 financial year together with a proposal for a Council Tax level for 2017/18.

The Council considered a report presenting the Cabinet’s revenue and capital budgets for the 2017/18 financial year together with a proposal for a Council Tax level for 2017/18.

In addition to the reports circulated with the agenda, all Councillors had received a copy of the draft minute of the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 30^th January with the Panel’s comments on the budget proposals.  Councillors also received Appendix 7 – Formal Council Tax Setting resolutions (incorporating precepts from Parishes, Fire and Police).

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was RESOLVED that the Council suspends Council rule 42, Content and Length of Speeches, for the duration of this debate so as to enable variations to be permitted to the length of speeches by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Independent Group Leaders and the Chair of the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.

On a motion from Councillor Gerrish, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To approve:

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2017/18 of £112.889m and the associated Council Tax increase of 1.50% plus a further 2% precept for Adult Social Care, as set out in Appendix 2.

b)  That no Special Expenses be charged other than Town and Parish Council precepts for 2017/18.

c) The adequacy of reserves at Appendix 2 Table 10 with a risk-assessed level of £13.5m.

d)  The individual service cash limits for 2017/18 summarised at Appendix 2 Table 6 and detailed in Annex 1.

e) That the specific arrangements for the governance and release of reserves, including invest to save proposals, be delegated to the Council’s Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Efficiency and the Chief Executive.

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

3.  To note the Section 151 officer's report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council's reserves (Appendix 2, Annex 2) and approves the conditions upon which the recommendations are made as set out throughout Appendix 2.

4.  That in relation to the capital budget the Council:

a)  approves a capital programme of £56.083m for 2017/18 and notes items for provisional approval in 2017/18 and the programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22 (including invest to earn) as shown at Appendix 2, Annex 3 including the planned sources of funding .

b)  delegates implementation, subject to consultation where appropriate, of the capital programmes set out in Annex 3i to Annex 3iii to the relevant Strategic Director in Consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member.

c)  approves the CIL allocations as set out in Appendix 2 and the proposed arrangements for agreeing the use of CIL for the unparished area of Bath.

d)  approves all other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71

This report presents the Cabinet's revenue and capital budgets for the 2017/18 financial year together with a proposal for a Council Tax level for 2017/18.

Vishaka Robinson gave a statement (attached as Appendix and available on the Minute Book at Democratic Services) speaking against central library move proposals.

Daniel Carey gave a statement (attached as Appendix and available on the Minute Book at Democratic Services) expressing his concern on the consultation for the central library move proposals.

Mary English gave a statement (attached as Appendix and available on the Minute Book at Democratic Services) speaking against central library move proposals.

Dionne Pemberton gave a statement (attached as Appendix and available on the Minute Book at Democratic Services) speaking against central library move proposals.

Paul Stansall addressed the Cabinet by saying that Lewis House, as proposed new venue for the library, was not the right use class in planning terms for that purpose.  Paul Stansall also expressed his concerns in terms of the health and safety of the Lewis House, in particular that escape stairs contravene building regulations.

Luke John Emmett addressed the Cabinet by saying that cultural organisations (i.e. Bath University) would be affected with any arts cuts, which would be detrimental to the area.  The cuts in arts would also create negative impact on the economy. Luke John Emmett also said that £1 invested in arts returns between £2 - £7 of income. 

Jacob Bishop-Ponte addressed the Cabinet by expressing his concerns on cuts in youth services.  Jacob Bishop-Ponte believed that youth services would disappear in near future because of those cuts and that responsibility put on Town Councils was not reasonable.  Jacob Bishop-Ponte concluded his statement by saying that the budget had let down young people.

Councillor Andrew Furse asked how £5.9m of spent on libraries would create £800k of savings.  Councillor Andrew Furse also said that the budget cuts would have an impact on young and vulnerable people, that cuts to arts would be significant and that there would be a shift in frontline services.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson gave a statement (attached as Appendix and available on the Minute Book at Democratic Services) speaking against the budget cuts.

Councillor Joe Rayment said that to him it looked like that the Cabinet had not had meaningful consultation with the public about the budget, and that the budget had been set at the last minute.

Councillor Dine Romero expressed her concerns that the budget would create long term adverse impact on youth service, and that it would affect young and most vulnerable residents.  Councillor Dine Romero also said that would have to pay more for services from the Council and that there would be expensive consequences to these cuts.

Councillor Paul May said that the administration care about services for residents.  The whole budget process had been quite stressful due to the level of cuts in funding from the central government. Councillor Paul May thanked everyone involved in the process.

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that answers to comments from Councillor Furse were included in the Q&A sheet for this meeting.  Councillor Charles Gerrish also said, in response to comments from Councillor Dine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79

A cover report on ‘Budget and Council Tax 2017/18 and Financial Outlook 2017/18 to 2019/20’ is attached. Please note that Appendix 4 will be sent out at a later date:

• Appendix 1: Budget report - attached
• Appendix 2: Equalities Impact Assessment - attached
• Appendix 3: Summary notes from the Area Forum Meetings - attached

·  Appendix 4:  Summary of other January 2017 PDS meetings - to follow

Andrew Pate, Strategic Director for Resources, introduced the report. He explained that the report contains more detail for year 1 and less for years 2 and 3. He reminded the Panel that the Council will be setting the budget for 2017/18 (not the future years) at its meeting on 14^th February 2017.

Tim Richens, Divisional Director – Business Support highlighted the main points as the Panel went through the report.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

(Budget report papers pages 7-117)

Councillor Goodman asked about the Retained Local Business Rates scheme and if the retention on growth remains in 2019/20. The Officer explained the pilot scheme allows the authority to keep 50% of growth at present but that the scheme goes national in 2020 and the baseline will be reset. He further explained that the Government aim is that the authority keeps Business Rates but that other government grants are no longer paid.

Councillor Barrett asked for the breakdown of Table 5 (page 31) as the ‘unknowns’ make up 10% of the budget.

In response to a query from Councillor Gladwyn, the officer explained that the figure of £950k (page 28) represents a one off provision to fund a number of appeals (businesses can appeal their assessments) that have happened in the last year.

Councillor Becker asked if Business Rate retention money goes into a common pot and also if the extra Council Tax money for Adult Social Care goes to that area only and will residents see the benefit. The officer explained that the Government are swapping Business Rates for other grants which will disappear so there is no direct benefit to businesses. Regarding Adult Social Care, he explained that the money is strictly ring-fenced to that service and will help the authority keep up with the demographic demand for the service. In response to a question on CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) from Councillor Becker, the officer explained that this is a ring-fenced tax for infrastructure.

Councillor Barrett asked about the additional income as a result of Devolution. The officer explained that one positive from devolution is that the authority gets to participate in the pilot regarding Business Rates. The £30million per year for 30 years goes to the combined authority whose leadership will set the priorities for investment, mainly in infrastructure, and so no additional money comes to individual Councils, although their areas will benefit from the investment.

Councillor Dando asked about the minimum reserve policy and whether the Council will pay more for borrowing over a long period. The officer explained that it does not cost the Council more money but it changes what is set aside each year.

Regarding the Corporate Estate information, Councillor Goodman asked about the Guildhall and stated that it did not seem to be a large amount of money to keep it in good repair. Derek Quliter - Divisional Director Property & Project Management, explained thatlittle money was needed this year because over the last 2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55