To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 14 February 2012 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

 

(a) Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012 to 2016

     (attached pages 13 to 14)

 

(b) Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16 (attached page 15)

 

(c) Budget report for the Landlord Services Business Plan 2012/13 under the new Self Financing Regime (attached pages 16 to 17)

 

and to present the Council Tax Resolution (papers to follow)

 

Note:  The papers for (a) (b) and (c) above may be seen at the following link:-

 

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=3721&Ver=4

 

 

(a) Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012 to 2016 and Council Tax Resolution

 

In advance of the consideration of this matter, the Chairman advised that the Council Tax Resolution would be considered in conjunction with this item.

 

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive on 14 February 2012 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

 

In his introduction, the Leader drew attention to the financial challenge facing the country as a whole and in particular the significant reduction in financial support to local authorities.

 

The Leader referred to the extensive consultation undertaken on the budget proposals which the Executive had taken into account in developing its proposals.  The proposals included the freezing of Council Tax, protecting frontline services, new ways of delivering services, supporting vulnerable people, investment in roads and cost effective street lighting.

 

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Term Plan 2012 to 2016 and the Council Tax Resolution. In doing so, the Deputy Leader proposed the withdrawal of the proposed charge for advertising boards. 

 

In accordance with Paragraph 19.5.1.2 of the Constitution the Leader of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Groups spoke to the item.

 

Councillors Smith, Shingler, Murray and Zerny requested that their names be recorded as having voted against the proposals.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the response to consultation with Overview & Scrutiny Committees as set out in Paragraph 35 of the report and the response to consultation with the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendix A to the report submitted to Executive, be noted;

 

2.         that the Revenue Budget for 2012/13 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2012/13 to 2015/16, as attached to the report submitted to the Executive, be approved subject to the deletion of the fee for ‘Advertising Frames’ as set out on Page 148 of the Executive report;

 

3.         that the following adjustments to the draft budget be noted:

           

            (a) additional pressures of £1.5 million in 2012-13;

 

            (b) additional efficiencies of £0.77 million in 2012-13; and

 

            (c) reduction in estimated 2012-13 inflation provision of

     £ 1 million;

 

4.         that the Council Tax Base, attached at Appendix G to the report submitted to the Executive, be noted;

 

5.         that the Council Tax Resolution set out in Appendix A to the report attached to the agenda at item 7, Council Tax Resolution be approved;

 

6.         to note that this sets a Band D Council Tax of:

 

·              £1,308.33 for residents in the North of Central Bedfordshire

 

·              £1,326.24 for residents in the South of Central Bedfordshire;

 

7.         that the fees and charges set out in Appendix J to the report

submitted to the Executive, be approved, subject to the withdrawal of the proposed charges for advertising boards;

 

8.         that the budget is predicted on an assumption that non statutory Human Resources, payroll and bursary services to schools would generally cease from September 2012, with full costs recovery where schools have been unable to make alternative provision by that date, be noted and;

 

9.         that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix I to the report submitted to Executive be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment and instructs the Corporate Management Team, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members and the chief Finance Officer as appropriate, to propose alternative compensatory savings where it appears, following a review of the outcome of the Consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

 

(b)       Capital Programme

 

            The Council considered the recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 14 February 2012 in respect of the proposed Capital Programme for 2012/13.       

 

            RESOLVED

 

            (1)       that the 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme as set out in Appendix B to the report of the Executive, be approved;

 

            (2)       that the additional provision of £1m for SAP optimisation be added to the Programme; and

 

            (3)       that the 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme – Housing Revenue Account as set out in Appendix C to the Executive report be approved.

 

(c)       Budget report for the Landlord Services Business Plan 2012/13 under the New Self Financing regime.

 

            The Council considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources and Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing concerning the proposed Landlord Services Business Plan under the new self financing regime.

 

1.         that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrow £165.7 million as a result of legislation to implement the self-financing regime;

 

2.         that delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer to agree the final debt structure, in conjunction with the Council’s Treasury Management advisers;

 

3.         a reserve be initially earmarked for the re-provision and re-modelling of sheltered housing and for the development of the Asset Management Strategy, within the Landlord Service Business Plan model;

 

4.         that the Landlord Service Business Plan Summary at Appendix A to the report submitted to  Executive be approved.  This includes the Landlord Service efficiency programme, being developed as part of the HRA Value for Money Strategy;

 

5.         that the feedback from tenant engagement as set out in paragraphs 39-41 in the report of the Executive be noted; and

 

6.                  that in line with the Government’s policy on Rent Convergence, the average rent increase of 7.94% for 2012/13 be approved.

 

Councillors Smith, Shingler, Murray and Zerny requested that their names be recorded as having voted against the decision.