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.

Councillor Hull introduced the budget proposals, advising that they will be considered by the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee next week.  Councillor Hull advised that despite the government cuts, he was proud to announce the investment in Youth Safety.

RESOLVED:

That the following recommendations be agreed and recommended to the Council meeting on 25 February 2016:

The General Fund Budget 2016-17 and MTFS (Section 3)

2.1       That the 2016-17 net Council cash limits as set out in Table 1 (Paragraph 3.1.4) of the report and the MTFS at Appendix A of the report, which include the revenue savings in Appendix B of the report and revenue growth of £0.5m for investment in keeping the borough’s young people safe, be agreed.

2.2       That the requirement to report on the number of maintained schools that have completed the Schools Value Financial Standard (SVFS) by 31st March to the Department for Education by 31st May each year be noted (Paragraph 3.2.13 of the report).

2.3       That the fees and charges policy be agreed and the schedule of 2016-17 fees and charges be agreed, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Children's Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Families, to agree new childcare charges following consultation in the summer term be agreed (Paragraphs 3.2.14-17 and Appendices C1 and C2 of the report).

2.4       That the Council’s policy on the level of General Fund balances and the estimated use of the Council’s earmarked reserves be agreed (Paragraphs 3.2.19-21 and Table 3 of the report) The HRA Budget and MTFS (Section 4 of the report).

2.5       That the balanced HRA 2016-17 budget within the HRA MTFS at Appendix D1 of the report and the 2016-17 HRA savings at Appendix D2 of the report be agreed.

2.6       That the 2016-17 HRA rents and other fees and charges (Tables 5-8 and Appendix D3 of the report) be agreed.

The Capital Programme 2016-17 to 2018-19 (Section 5)

2.7       That the 2016-17 capital programme be agreed and the provisional programme for 2017-18 to 2018-19 be noted (Paragraph 5.1, Table 9 and Appendix E of the report).

2.8       That the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources applies capital resources to fund the capital programme in the most cost-effective way be agreed (Paragraph 5.2 of the report).

2.9       That the schemes that comprise the Capital Allowance pot of eligible affordable housing and regeneration schemes be noted (Paragraph 5.3 and Appendix E of the report).

Treasury Management Strategy (Section 6)

2.10    That the Treasury Management Strategy will initially be considered by Audit Committee on 28th January 2016 and then included for agreement within the final budget report to Executive on 4th February 2016 and Council on 25th February 2016 be noted.

Council Tax 2016-17, including Statutory Calculations (Section 7)

2.11    That the General Fund budget has been prepared on the basis that the basic amount of council tax in Islington will increase by 1.99% in 2016-17, with, in addition, the application of the government’s separate social care precept of 2.00% be noted.

2.12    That the detailed, statutory council tax calculations and the recommendations for the final 2016-17 council tax level, including the Greater London Authority (GLA) and social care precepts, will be included in the budget report to Executive on 4th February 2016 and Council on 25th February 2016 be noted.

Matters to Consider in Setting the Budget (Section 8)

2.13    That the Section 151 Officer’s and the Monitoring Officer’s comments in their determination of the revenue and capital budgets for 2016-17 and the basis for the level of council tax, including the Section 151 Officer’s report in relation to his responsibilities under Section 25 (2) of the Local Government Act 2003 be noted.

2.14    That the Resident Impact Assessment (RIA) on the 2016-17 budget be noted (Appendix F of the report).

Reason for decision – to allow Councillors to set a balanced budget.

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

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.