To recommend the final revenue budget for 2019/20 to Council for Approval on 21 February 2019. 

RESOLVED

1.      To note the consultation responses from Overview and Scrutiny, the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendices J and A(i) to the Executive report.

2.      To note the Council Tax Base as set out in Appendix H to the Executive report.

3.      To note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and instruct the Corporate Management Team to propose alternative compensatory savings if it appears, following a review of the outcome of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      That the Revenue Budget for 2019/20 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved.

2.      That in line with Government guidance, the following increases in Council tax (CBC element) for residents of Central Bedfordshire be approved:

(a)     a Band D increase of £14.86, representing a 1.000% increase on the charge for 2018/19 and

(b)    the CBC Band D Council Tax for 2019/20 will therefore be £1,500.64.

3.      That the items set out in Appendix L to the Executive report be added to the Council’s Budget for 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan for 2019/20 to 2022/23, noting that the use of previously identified funding streams does not necessitate any change to recommendation 2 above.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources setting out the proposed Budget for 2019/20 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The Executive Member drew attention to the recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the outcome of the public consultation.  Members noted the statutory requirements relating to specific budget proposals, as set out in Appendix F.

The Executive Member introduced Appendix L which had been drawn up in response to the results of the public consultation.  Appendix L proposed to allocate additional funding towards:

·         Community Safety

·         Sustainable Transport

·         Town Centre Ranger

·         Community Councillor Fund

·         Parking

·         Countryside Access

·         Culture

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to approve the Budget for 2019/20 and the Medium Term Financial Plan.

RESOLVED

1.      to note the consultation responses from Overview and Scrutiny, the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendices J and A(i) to the Executive report;

2.      to note the Council Tax Base as set out in Appendix H to the Executive report;

3.      to note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) would be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and instruct the Corporate Management Team to propose alternative compensatory savings if it appears, following a review of the outcome of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      that the Revenue Budget for 2019/20 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved;

2.      that in line with Government guidance, the following increases in Council tax (CBC element) for residents of Central Bedfordshire be approved:

(a)     a Band D increase of £14.86, representing a 1% increase on the charge for 2018/19; and

(b)    the CBC Band D Council Tax for 2019/20 will therefore be £1,500.64

3.      that the items set out in Appendix L to the Executive report be added to the Council’s Budget for 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan for 2019/20 to 2022/23, noting that the use of previously identified funding streams does not necessitate any change to recommendation 2 above.

The decision was unanimous.