Decision details

Cabinet:

1.            Considered the advice of the Chief Finance Officer as set out in Appendix H when it recommended the Council budget.

2.            Approved the following budgets for 2016/17:

·           The Council’s draft General Fund budget as set out in Appendix E, formulated on the basis of:

o    An ELWA levy based on the anticipated budget and levy increase, and

o    The other assumptions set out in the report.

·           The delegated schools’ draft budget

·           The capital programme as set out in Paragraph 3.28 of the report and Appendix I,

3.            Delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executives the implementation of the 2016/17 capital and revenue proposals once approved by Council unless further reports or Cabinet Member authorities were required as detailed in the report.

4.            Agreed that the Deputy Chief Executive Communities and Resources be authorised to allocate funding from the Capital contingency included within the draft capital programme.

5.             Agreed that the relevant Cabinet Member, together with the Leader, be delegated authority to commence tender processes and accept tenders for capital schemes included within the approved capital programme.

6.            Agreed that to facilitate the usage of unringfenced resources, the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executives would review any such new funds allocated to Havering; make proposals for their use; and get them approved by the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Financial Management.

7.            Delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executives the authority to make any necessary changes to services and the associated budgets relating to any subsequent specific grant funding announcements, where delays might otherwise have an adverse impact on service delivery and/or budgetary control, subject to consultation as appropriate.

8.            Approved the schedule of Fees and Charges set out in Appendix K, with any recommended changes in-year being implemented under Cabinet Member delegation.

9.            Agreed that if there were any changes to the GLA precept and/or levies, the Chief Executive should be authorised to amend the recommended resolutions accordingly and report these to Council on 24 February 2016.

That in addition, Cabinet Recommends to Council:

10.       The General Fund budget for 2016/17

·           The Council Tax for Band D properties and for other Bands of properties, all as set out in Appendix E to the report, as revised and circulated for the Greater London Authority (GLA) Council Tax.

·           The delegated schools’ budget for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix F of the report.

·           The Capital Programme for 2016/17 as set out in paragraph 3.28 and supported by Annexes 2, 3 and 4 of Appendix I of the report.

11.         That it pass a resolution as set out in section 3.32.5 of the report to enable Council Tax discounts to be given at the existing level