Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref:  2009/136

Contact: Lorna Baxter, Assistant Head of Finance (01865 323971)

Report by: Chief Executive, Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) and Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Office

This is one in a series of reports on the Service and Resource Planning process for 2010/11 to 2014/15, providing councillors with information on budget issues for 2010/11 and the medium term. It follows on from reports to Cabinet on 16 September and to Strategy & Partnerships Scrutiny Committee on 25 November 2009.  The report sets out the review of charges, provides an update on the Service and Resource Planning process and includes the Directorate Business Improvement & Efficiency Strategies. The strategies set out the identified pressures and priorities over the medium term and the proposals for savings.

The Council is required under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to set a budget requirement for the authority and an amount of Council Tax.  This report contains information to be considered in leading to the budget requirement and Council Tax being agreed in February 2010.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               note the report;

(b)              note those charges prescribed by legislation;

(c)               approve those charges where there is local discretion as set out in Annex 4; and

(d)              approve those charges for which an increase will commence before April 2010.

Cabinet considered one in a series of reports on the Service and Resource Planning process for 2010/11 to 2014/15, providing information on budget issues for 2010/11 and the medium term. The report set out the review of charges, provided an update on the Service and Resource Planning process and included the Directorate Business Improvement & Efficiency Strategies. The strategies set out the identified pressures and priorities over the medium term and the proposals for savings.

Cabinet also considered a supplementary report providing further information relevant to the financial position of the Council that had become available since the publication of the main report.

The Leader highlighted the implications of the Government’s pledge on personal care at home which he felt should be fully funded by Government. Referring to the level of council tax he stated that the figure reached was a balance between the need to maintain and improve services and to constrain the burden on council tax payers.

RESOLVED:                        to:

(a)               note the report;

(b)               note those charges prescribed by legislation;

(c)               approve those charges where there is local discretion as set out in Annex 4; and

(d)               approve those charges for which an increase will commence before April 2010.