Agenda item

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That the following proposed recommendations be included in the Budget Proposals 2015-16 report to Executive on 12 February 2015 and Council on 26 February 2015 be agreed:

The General Fund Budget 2015-16 and MTFS (Section 3)

1.1      That the 2015-16 net Council cash limits as set out in Table 1 (paragraph 3.1.4 of the report) be agreed and the MTFS at Appendix A to the report, which includes the revenue savings in Appendix B to the report, be agreed.
 

1.2.     That it be agreed that within the 2015-16 revenue budget, £0.6m to continue to provide a Resident Support Scheme following the cessation of Local Welfare Provision funding by the Government, and that it be noted that we  will review expenditure on the Resident Support Scheme in the first three months of 2015-16 and supplement this funding as required from the Housing Benefit Reserve up to the level of the government grant for 2014-15 that is being cut (£1.44m).  (Paragraphs 3.2.5 to 3.2.6 of the report).

1.3      That the requirement to report on the number of maintained schools that have completed the Schools Value Financial Standard (SVFS) by 31^st March to the Department for Education by 31^st May each year (paragraph 3.2.15 of the report) be noted.

1.4      That the fees and charges policy and the schedule of 2015-16 fees and charges (paragraph 3.2.16-17 of the report and Appendix C to the report) be agreed.

1.5      That the Council’s policy on the level of General Fund balances and the estimated use of the Council’s earmarked reserves (paragraph 3.2.21-22 and Table 3 of the report) be agreed.

The HRA Budget and MTFS (Section 4)

1.6      That the balanced HRA 2015-16 budget within the HRA MTFS at Appendix D1 to the report be agreed.

1.7      That the proposed increase in 2015-16 for HRA rents and other fees and charges (paragraphs 4.4 to 4.9, Table 5 of the report and Appendix D2 of the report) be agreed.

The Capital Programme 2015-16 to 2017-18 (Section 5)

1.8      That the 2015-16 capital programme be agreed and the provisional programme for 2016-17 to 2017-18, which includes funding for an expanded Phase 2 Bunhill heat and power scheme (funded on the expectation that it will be a priority for planning gain from developments in Bunhill) (paragraph 5.1, Table 6 of the report and Appendix E to the report) be noted.

1.9      That the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources applies capital resources to fund the capital programme in the most cost-effective way  (Paragraph 5.3 of the report) be agreed.

1.10      That the schemes that comprise the Capital Allowance pot of eligible affordable housing and regeneration schemes (Paragraph 5.4 of the report and Appendix E to the report) be noted.

Treasury Management Strategy (Section 6)

1.11    That the Treasury Management Strategy will initially be considered by Audit Committee on 29^th January 2015 and then included for agreement within the final budget report to Executive on 12^th February 2015 and Council on 26^th February 2015 be noted.

Reason for decision – To enable the Council to set a lawful budget.
 

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.