Agenda item

Report by the Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CC8(a)) and Report of the Cabinet by the Leader of the Council (CC8(b)).  The recommendations set out below (and in the report) are made subject to the Commentary on the Budget Proposals by the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer, as the Council’s Section 151 Officer, to be circulated separately.  Annex 6 (Dedicated Schools Grant Provisional Allocation 2012/13) will be circulated separately, following the outcome of the School’s Forum Meeting on 1 February 2012.

The Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green Groups propose to submit amendments to the budget proposals (CC8 Liberal Democrat), (CC8 Labour) and (CC8 Green) respectively and these will be circulated separately.

(a)   (in respect of revenue) RECOMMEND Council to approve:

(1)         a budget for 2012/13 as set out in Annex 1;

(2)         a medium term plan for 2012/13 to 2016/17 as set out in Annex 2 (which incorporates changes to the Business Strategies set out in Annex 3);

(3)         a council tax requirement for 2012/13 of £284.525m;

(4)         the Council Tax and Precept calculations for 2012/13 set out in Annex 4 to the report and in particular:

(i)           a precept of £284.525m; and

(ii)         a Council Tax for Band D equivalent properties of £1,161.71;

(5)         the planned level of balances and reserves for 2012/13 to 2015/16 as set out in Annex 5;

(6)         the use of Dedicated Schools Grant for 2012/13 as set out in Annex 6;

(7)         virement arrangements for 2012/13 as set out in Annex 7;

(b)                          (in respect of treasury management) to RECOMMEND Council to approve:

(1)         the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as at Annex 8 including the Prudential Indicators;

(2)         that in relation to the 2012/13 strategy any further changes required be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer following consultation with the Leader of Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance.

(c)   RECOMMEND Council to approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Methodology Statement as set out in paragraphs 10 to 14 of Annex 9.

(d)  (in respect of Capital) to approve:

(1)         the Capital Strategy at Annex 10 and Corporate Asset Management Plan and Transport Asset Management Plan at Annexes 11a and 11b;

(2)         the Capital Programme for 2011/12 to 2016/17 as set out in the capital programme at Annex 12;

(3)         the prudential indicators for capital set out in Annex 13.

The Council had before them the Report of the Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CC8), a supplementary Report of the Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer, the Report of the Cabinet (CC8(b)) together with the Commentary on the Cabinet’s Budget Proposals by the Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer as the Council’s Section 151 Officer.  The Council also had before it budget proposals in the form of:  Amendments by the Liberal Democrat Group to the Cabinet’s Revenue Budget, Amendments by the Labour Group to the Cabinet’s Revenue Budget and Amendments by the Green Group to the Cabinet’s Revenue Budget together with Commentary by the Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer as the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

Councillor Mitchell moved and Councillor Couchman seconded the Cabinet’s recommendations on Service and Resource Planning 2012/13 to 2016/17 (CC8(b)).  In moving and seconding the motion, Councillor Mitchell and Councillor Couchman paid tribute to Sue Scane and her staff for all their work in preparing the Budget.

Members of the Cabinet then gave an overview of the areas of the Budget falling under their responsibility.

Councillor Patrick moved and Councillor Armitage seconded an amendment to the Cabinet’s budget as set out in the additional papers (CC8 Liberal Democrat Amendments).  Councillor Patrick paid tribute to the finance staff responsible for preparing the budget.

Following debate, the amendment was lost by 49 votes to 9 with 2 Abstentions.

Councillor Brighouse moved and Councillor Stevens seconded an amendment to the Cabinet’s budget as set out in (CC8 Labour Group Amendments) and in the Addenda at Annex 1 to the Schedule of Business.  Councillor Patrick paid tribute to members of the finance team.

Following debate, the amendment was lost by 50 votes to 10 with 1 Abstentions.

Councillor L Sanders moved and Councillor Sherwood seconded an amendment to the Cabinet’s budget as set out in (CC8 Green Group Amendments).

Following debate, the amendment was lost by 57 votes to 2 with 2 Abstentions.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried by 41 votes to 19.