Agenda item

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:

8.         That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts shown in the table below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2016/17 for each of the categories of dwellings.

9.         That it be noted for the year 2016/17 the major precepting authority (the GLA) has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below as proposed by the Mayor and as due to be considered by the London Assembly at its meeting on 22^nd February 2016.

10.       That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 6 and 7 above, the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2016/17 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

11.      That Council having considered the principles approved under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government concludes that the Council’s basic relevant amount of Council Tax for 2016/17 is not excessive.

12.         That any Council Tax payer who is liable to pay an amount of Council Tax to the Authority in respect to the year ending on 31^st March 2017, who is served with a demand notice under Regulation 20(2) of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 as amended and who makes payment to the Authority of the full balance of the estimated amount shown on that demand by 1^st April 2016, may deduct a sum equivalent to 1.5% of and from the estimated amount and such reduced amount shall be accepted in full settlement of that estimated amount.

13.         That Council agrees that the Capital Programme be expanded for schemes during the year which are funded via additional external funding under the authority of the Cabinet Member Value and the relevant service area Cabinet Members.

14.         That Council approves the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators, and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2016/17.