Issue - meetings

Cabinet:

1.            Agreed the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement covering the period from 2016/17 to 2019/20 be accepted in order to provide greater financial certainty over the coming period.

2.            Agreed to continue to lobby the Government for a fairer funding settlement which better reflected the needs of its residents

3.            Agreed to take the opportunity to continue to stress to Government the iniquity of the grant formula.

4.            Delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the approval of a four year efficiency plan for the purpose of accepting the offer.

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

Members were informed that the purpose of the report was to consider the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement covering the period to 2019/20.  The Council’s budget strategy (including the 2016/17 financial settlement) was approved by Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Four Year Financial Settlement (attached).

3 questions regarding report replied to.

Report, including clarifying wording, AGREED by 43 votes to 4.  

A report of the Chief Executive sought the agreement of Council to the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement covering the period 2016/17 to 2019/20.

In response to some questions raised re the report, the Leader of the Council stated that the decision had not been easy to take and it had been necessary to research what position similar Councils had been taking. Not accepting the settlement risked the Council losing financial support such as transitional relief. The Leader felt that the baseline assessment for business rates that was set by the Government would be crucial.

There had not been any change to the settlement offer as a result of the appointment of a new Prime Minister and Chancellor. The Government had not defined what ‘exceptional circumstances’ would be and the Leader indicated that he would support a legal challenge if necessary should the settlement be altered, perhaps in conjunction with other affected Councils.

The report, including clarifying wording proposed by the Leader, was AGREED by 43 votes to 4 (see division 1) and it was RESOLVED: 

1. To accept the Government’s offer of a four year financial settlement covering the period from 2016/17 to 2019/20.

2.  To continue to lobby the Government for a fairer funding settlement which better reflects the needs of its residents.

3.  To take this opportunity to continue to stress to Government the iniquity of the grant formula.

4.   To delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the approval of a four year efficiency plan for the purpose of accepting the offer.