Agenda item

This report presents the revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for increases in Council Tax and the Adult Social Care Precept for 2022/23.

The Council considered a report presenting the revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept for 2022/23.

On a motion from Councillor Kevin Guy, seconded by Councillor Vic Pritchard, it was unanimously

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 Kevin Guy, it was

RESOLVED to recommend to Council on 16^th December that

The Council approves-

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2022/23 of £126.74m and the individual service cash limits for 2022/23 as outlined in Annex 1.

b)  The savings and income plans outlined in the revised Annex 2(i) that had been circulated following agreement at Cabinet, funding requirements 2(ii), in conjunction with the Equalities Impact Assessment Report in Annex 3.

c)  An increase in Council Tax of 1.99% in 2022/23 (an increase of £30.44 per Band D property or 59p per week).

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 £15.29 on a Band D property (29p per week).

e)  The movement in reserves outlined in section 5.6 and the adequacy of Un-earmarked Reserves at £12.58m within a risk assessed range requirement of £11.9m - £13.2m.

f)  The Efficiency Strategy attached at Annex 4.

g)  The Capital Programme for 2022/23 of £96.064m including new and emerging capital bids outlined in Annex 5(i), planned sources of funding in 5.8.2, and notes the programme for 2022/23 to 2026/27 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(i) 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 Establishment and funding of a Business Change Hub outlined in 5.2.6.

m)  The Capital Prudential Indicators outlined in 5.8.7.

n)  The Annual Pay Policy Statement at Annex 8.

o)  The Community Contribution Fund pilot 12-month extension outlined section 5.5.

p)  The Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 shown in the below link, and referred to in 5.3.4

https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-02/Bath%20%26%20NE%20Someset%20S13A%20202223%20FINAL1.0.pdf

2.2  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 11.

2.3  That the Council note the S151 Officer’s report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves outlined in 5.7.

2.4  That the Council note the budget consultation responses in Annex 10.

[Notes;

1.  The above successful resolution was carried on a named vote;

Councillors in favour (34); - Councillors Rob Appleyard, Tim Ball, Alison Born, Shelley Bromley, Neil Butters, Sue Craig, Paul Crossley, Gerry Curran, Jess David, Tom Davies, Winston Duguid, Mark Elliott, Andy Furse, Kevin Guy, Steve Hedges, Joel Hirst, Lucy Hodge, Duncan Hounsell, Hal McFie, Ruth Malloy, Matt McCabe, Sarah Moore, Michelle O’Doherty, Mandy Rigby, Dine Romero, Mark Roper, Richard Samuel, Bruce Shearn, Alastair Singleton, Shaun Stephenson-McGall, Andy Wait, Sarah Warren, Ryan Wills, David Wood.

Councillors against (5); - Councillors Colin Blackburn, Douglas Deacon, Shaun Hughes, Dr Kumar, June Player.

Councillors abstaining (18); - Councillors Sarah Bevan, Vic Clarke, Chris Dando, Sally Davis, Michael Evans, Alan Hale, Liz Hardman, Eleanor Jackson, Grant Johnson, Paul May, Robin Moss, Paul Myers, Lisa O’Brien, Vic Pritchard, Brian Simmons, Karen Walker, Karen Warrington, Joanna Wright.