Agenda item

This report presents the Cabinet's draft medium term financial plan, and revenue and capital budgets for the 2015/16 financial year together with a proposal for a Council Tax level for 2015/16

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement said that his Group would have a number of amendments which would be put to Full Council; but he had been advised by Officers that none of the proposals was substantial.  He did however wish to raise one issue which had been discussed at Resources Panel, relating to the list of further potential community asset transfers in appendix 5 of the report.  He asked that The Paddock, Keynsham, be added to the list.

Wera Hobhouse in an ad hoc statement congratulated the Cabinet for proposing a Council Tax freeze for another year.  She was confident that householders would appreciate this.  She was pleased to see the road between Peasedown St John and Wellow included in the budget. She thanked Cabinet for indicating that attention would be given to safety on the A367 at Peasedown.

David Redgewell in an ad hoc statement raised 3 issues.  He asked the Cabinet to ensure that the devolution clause would be included in the Metro West agreement; that Cabinet would give attention to cleaning in Bath city centre; and that the issue of support for cross-boundary bus services be resolved with North Somerset Council.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement apologised that there had been no formal statement from the Housing and Major Projects PDS Panel.  The Panel however had asked that no further cuts should be made to support staff for PDS Panels.  She complimented the Cabinet on the probity of the budget proposals but was alarmed at the proposed £1.3M cuts to Children’s Services and the effect on Children’s Centres.  She felt that over all, Midsomer Norton was getting a fair deal from the proposals but asked why Radstock was not getting new Town Council offices.

Councillor Jeremy Sparks in an ad hoc statement reminded Cabinet that the need for road safety measures in Clutton had become even more urgent since the start of the new development of 45 houses.

Sally Bailey, a volunteer youth worker in the area and a member of St Nicholas PCC, referred to the planned 5-hour parking limit in Radstock and asked that this be reduced to 2 hours so as to encourage local shoppers.  She presented a petition of 133 signatures.

The Chair said that the petition would be given prompt consideration and would be fed into the consultation process about the proposals.

The Chair asked Councillor John Bull (Chair, Resources PDS Panel) to introduce his Panel's Budget recommendations.  Councillor Bull referred to the Notes from the recent meeting, copies of which had been placed in the public gallery before the meeting [and a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 9 and on the Council's website].  He said that the Panel’s main recommendation was for the inclusion of a safety scheme for the A367 at Peasedown and said that he had already been encouraged by what he had heard earlier in the meeting.

Councillor Bull then spoke as Leader of the Labour Group.  He said he shared the disappointment expressed by Councillor Jackson about the future of Children’s Centres.  He warmly welcomed however the budget proposal to pay staff the Living Wage.

Councillor Paul Crossley moved the proposals.  He assured Councillor Gerrish that The Paddock would be added to the list of potential community asset transfers before the proposals came to Council.  He confirmed that the A367 safety issue was being looked at very closely and a number of fully costed options would be considered.  He asked David Redgewell to send details of the Devon and Cornwall Franchise; promised to address the issue of gull bins; and assured him of the strong commitment of the Cabinet to cross-border bus services.

Councillor Crossley referred to Councillor Jackson’s point about Children’s Services and observed that the Council had needed to target the scarce resources to meet the most pressing needs.  He agreed with Councillor Jackson that Midsomer Norton would get a fair deal from the proposals but said that the aim had been to make fair provision across the entire authority.

He agreed with Councillor Sparks that road safety measures at Clutton were now more urgent as a result of the new housing and promised to ensure that the £30K required for this would be included in the budget going to Council.

He responded to Councillor Bull’s comments about Paulton Junior School by saying that the budget analysis of the scheme had not been completed but it seemed that the increased proposals were for 6 classrooms which he was not convinced was viable.

Councillor Crossley reminded the Cabinet that they had delivered £30M of budget cuts without any serious impact on services, apart from Children’s Centres which would move to a new targeted model of delivery rather than universal.  They had delivered a compliant Core Strategy; had protected the services to vulnerable people and public protection; had delivered 4 balanced budgets and had retained healthy reserves; and had repaid £50M of previously existing high-interest debt.  He listed a number of achievements of the administration, including the Co-Worker Hub; the enterprise Area; Victoria Bridge emergency repairs; had brought the Victoria Hall back into use; delivery of One-Stop Shops; locally generated renewables; moving to full implementation of the Living Wage plus 3p; the Better Care Plan; Somerset Rates Pool (partnership working); Bath City riverside; the Midsomer Norton Business Centre; and had been throughout a listening Council.  His proudest achievement was the success of the connecting Families project.  He regretted that the Council had not achieved more on Community Asset Transfers but said that the next Council would be able to move ahead faster as a result of the ground work already done.

Councillor Crossley emphasised that the budget being proposed was built on sound finances and contained no banana skins for the next administration and commended it to Cabinet.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.  He felt that the sound budget was based on healthy income streams, particularly from the Museum Service and the Property portfolio.  He was delighted that the Council would be able to introduce the Living Wage.  He looked forward to the continuation of the tour and cycling events and to the £15M investment in Leisure Centres which had been made possible by this administration and would be delivered by the next.  He felt that the administration would leave a superb legacy for the area.  He reminded Cabinet that the next administration would need to look at the renewal of the Recycling Centre.

Councillor Ben Stevens said that the good financial situation was a credit to the Council’s Finance officers.  Against a backdrop of funding cuts, the Council had maintained public services and he congratulated Councillor David Bellotti and his officers for this.  He agreed with Councillor Dixon that in the light of continuing funding cuts, the Council’s income streams must be maintained in order to protect the Council’s budget and to ensure the future prosperity of the area.

Councillor Caroline Roberts referred to the £6M road maintenance programme.  She was delighted that it was proposed to put in an extra £1M for cycling and walking schemes.  She observed that the proposals before Cabinet contained more details than had previously been the case, and said that she welcomed the debate this had encouraged.

Councillor Tim Ball referred to the £7.9M provision for new homes grants.  He referred to Appendix 6 of the report, which showed the Council’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people.

Councillor Simon Allen said the budget was putting money where it mattered.  There was a close working relationship with the NHS, which was critical to improving local health.  The Better Care Fund was an example of this partnership and as a result, those with support needs had more funds available to meet their needs.

Councillor Dine Romero emphasised that no Children’s Centres were being closed, despite the very tight funding position, although it was necessary to target resources where most needed.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council approve:

 a) The General Fund net revenue budget for 2015/16 of £119.914m with no increase in Council Tax;

 b) That no Special Expenses be charged other than Town and Parish Council precepts for 2015/16;

 c) The adequacy of reserves at Appendix 1 Table 8 with a risk-assessed level of £10.5m;

 d) The individual service cash limits for 2015/16 summarised at Appendix 1 Table 4 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 Community Resources and the Chief Executive;

(2) To RECOMMEND to Council 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 the Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, and those of the Fire and Police Authorities;

(3) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council notes the Section 151 officer's report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council's reserves and approves the conditions upon which the recommendations are made as set out throughout Appendix 1;

(4) To RECOMMEND to Council that in relation to the capital budget the Council:

 a) approves a capital programme of £57.537m for 2015/16 and notes items for provisional approval in 2015/16 and the programme for 2016/17 to 2019/20 as shown at Appendix 1, 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 3iv to the relevant Strategic Director in Consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member;

 c) approves all other delegations as set out in the budget report;

 d) approves the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as shown at Appendix 1, Annex 4;

 e) approves the Capital Prudential Indicators as set out in the report;

(5) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council agree the Council’s proposed pay policy statement, including the provision in respect of minimum pay rates in 2015/16 as set out in the report delegating implementation arrangements to the Employment Committee where appropriate;

(6) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council increases the “think local” financial limit to provide local businesses with the opportunity to obtain contracts up to £50,000 (increased from the current £25,000);

(7) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council notes the approach to Community Assets as set out in the report;

(8) To RECOMMEND to Council that the Council notes the approach to tackling poverty as set out in the report; and

(9) To AUTHORISE the Council’s Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resources, to make any necessary changes and presentational improvements to the draft budget proposal for submission to Council.