Issue - meetings

This report presents the revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept for 2020/21.

The Council considered a report presenting the Cabinet’s revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept for 2020/21.

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Paul Myers, it was RESOLVED that, in accordance with rule 16 (Suspension of Rules), 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 Resources, the Conservative, Independent and Labour Group Leaders or their nominated Spokespersons, and the Chair of the Corporate Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was

RESOLVED

1.  That Council approves;

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2020/21 of £118.25m and the individual service cash limits for 2020/21 as outlined in Annex 1.

b)  The savings and income generation plans outlined in Annex 2(i), priorities 2(ii), one-off allocations 2(iii), pressures 2(iv) in conjunction with the Equalities Impact Assessment Report in Annex 3.

c)  An increase in Council Tax of 1.99% in 2020/21 (an increase of £27.88 per Band D property).

d)  An increase of 1.99% to Council Tax for the Adult Social Care Precept in recognition of the current demands and financial pressures on this service. This is equivalent to an increase of £27.88 on a Band D property.

e)  The movement in reserves outlined in paragraph 5.5 of the report and the adequacy of Un-earmarked Reserves at £13.5m within a risk assessed range requirement of £12.3m - £13.5m.

f)  The Efficiency Strategy attached at Annex 4.

g)  The Capital Programme for 2020/21 of £109.507m including new and emerging capital bids outlined in Annex 5(i), planned sources of funding in 5.7.2, and notes the programme for 2021/22 to 2024/25 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).

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 Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21 shown in the following link: http://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/Bath%20%26%20NE%20Someset%20S13A%20202021%20v3.pdf and referred to in 5.3.4.

o)  The Adult Social Care Charging and Financial Assessment Framework at Annex 10.

p)  The Direct Payment Policy at Annex 11.

2.  That the Council approves the technical resolutions that are derived from the budget report, and all the figures in that report, including the precepts for towns, parishes and other precepting bodies as set out in Annex 12.

3.  That Council notes the S151 Officer’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100

This report presents the revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept for 2020/21.

Councillor Paul Myers speaking as a resident of B&NES said that he felt let down by the lack of ambition in this budget.  He understood the pressure the Council was facing but had expected this budget to take further the manifesto commitments.  He commented that the Council Tax rise will hit the most vulnerable.

Councillor Vic Pritchard raised a query about why the Cabinet were not seeking a higher increase to the social care element of the budget which would then leave residual funding for public health.

In response to Councillor Pritchard’s query, Councillor Richard Samuel responded that practice in the past had been to pass forward the public health grant directly to public health, but the announcement expected from Government on 24th February would inform whether this would take place.  He did not expect a reduction but needed to have the details first.

Councillor Liz Hardman welcomed some positive aspects of the budget but expressed concern about the efficiency savings in Adult services and wondered if they were achievable.

Councillor Richard Samuel, in presenting this budget to Council, thanked officers, Scrutiny Panel members and the public for their contributions, in spite of the general election meaning that it had not been possible to do the usual range of engagement events.  He described a change in direction and new investment areas in climate emergency, transport and housing.  He outlined some of the highlights of the budget and explained a move away from cuts to staff and services partly from a Council tax rise, still resulting in the third lowest Council tax in the South West region.  He acknowledged the current funding gap for 2021/22 and hoped to be able to close that gap by the Autumn.

Councillor Tim Ball commented that they had not inherited a good legacy with the Park & Ride issue and expressed surprise about the lack of ambition comments. He commended this forward-looking budget, fully delivering on housing and development over the 4-year term, and one which would benefit all residents.

Councillor Joanna Wright welcomed the real changes in combatting rat running and congestion and was delighted in the focus on walking, cycling and low traffic neighbourhoods.  She described the budget as one which was good for health, social justice and the environment.

Councillor Neil Butters supported this budget and thanked Councillor Samuel and Finance officers in bringing this budget forward.  Councillor Butters described a steady state being maintained through Highways resurfacing schemes and state of the art gritters.

Councillor David Wood welcomed the extra investment this brought in for the residents of North East Somerset which went towards addressing the imbalance some North East Somerset residents felt.

Councillor Sarah Warren expressed her delight at the funding for climate emergency measures and improved capacity for citizen engagement.  She hoped for positive news from Government the following week regarding Bath’s Clean Air Zone.

Councillor Rob Appleyard highlighted the focus on prevention within the budget and the Adult Social Care Charging framework which would simplify processes at a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75