Issue - meetings

A         To consider the report of Cabinet (attached);

B         To note the decision of the Greater London Authority on its budget and precept for 2016/17, and the effect thereof on the Council’s budget;

C         To agree a budget for 2016/17; and then

D         To set the Council Tax for 2016/17

NOTE: MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO BRING WITH THEM THE REPORT TO CABINET ON 10 FEBRUARY 2016 FOR REFERENCE AT THIS MEETING.

after debate, recommendations of Cabinet AGREED by 38 votes to 4.

          Council Tax for 2016/17 set at £1,543.64 for a Band D property

Council had before it a report of the Cabinet (incorporating the budget proposals for 2016/17). It was noted that the Council Tax attributable to London Borough of Havering included a precept to fund adult social care.

Following debate, the recommendations of Cabinet were ADOPTED by 38 votes to 4 (see division 1) and it was RESOLVED:

1.         That the following as submitted in the report to Cabinet be approved:

a)         The General Fund revenue budget for 2016/17, as set out in the revised Appendix E attached to this report.

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

c)         The Capital Programme for 2016/17, as set out in Paragraph 3.28 and Appendix I of the report to Cabinet.

d)        The HRA Capital Programme 2016/17, as set out in the separate report to Cabinet on 10^th February.

2.         That, in accepting recommendation 1, Council is mindful of the advice of the Chief Finance Officer as set out in Appendix H of the report to Cabinet.

3.         That the Leader reported to Cabinet that the Council had recently received notification of a Transition Grant in the order of £1.4 million for 2016/17 and the year following.  He also stated this amount could be used to replenish the budgeted transfer from general reserves.

4.         That it be noted that an online Council Tax consultation was launched on the 5^th January until 2^nd February 2016.  In response to the first Yes/No question 1,020 responded, of which 53% were yes and 47% were no.  With regards to the Comment box there were 305 responses.  170 (56%) agreed with the proposal, (44%) disagreed.  In total there 1,325 responses where 711 said yes (54%), 649 said no (49%).  38 others gave general comments and neither agreed or disagreed.

5.         That it be noted that under delegated powers the Chief Finance Officer has calculated the amount of 85,474 (called T in the Act and Regulations) as its Council Tax base for the year 2016/17 in accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended) made under Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended.

6.         That the amount of £ 108,350,261 be now calculated as the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17, with £2,083,856 of that amount being ringfenced for Adult Social Care.

7.         That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2016/17 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended:

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

Councillor Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council, introduced the report

The Leader reminded those present about the general economic and fiscal climate which the current budget had to address.  He stated that the continuing Government policy of cutting funding to local authorities placed an ever increasing burden on them to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41