The report proposes the Budget for 2015/16 and updates the Medium Term Financial Plan approved by Council in February 2014.

RESOLVED

1.      That the response to the consultation with Overview and Scrutiny as set out in Appendix K to the Executive report and the response to consultation with the public and stakeholders, as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report, be noted.

2.      To note there are no adjustments to the draft budget, as described in paragraphs 29-33 of the Executive report.

3.      That the Council Tax Base, as set out in Appendix G to the Executive report, be noted.

4.      That certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix I, to the Executive report, will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and the Corporate Management Team be instructed 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.

5.      To continue to charge individuals when the Council arranges care and support to meet an individual’s needs subject to the appropriate financial assessment taking place; any statutory exemptions; and having regard to the relevant statutory guidance (as set out in paragraphs 80-86 in the Executive report).  This recommendation does not extend to situations where the Council arranges to meet a carer’s support needs.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      That the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2015/16 to 2018/19 be approved.

2.      That the Fees and Charges relating to the Care Act Deferred Payment Scheme, as detailed at paragraphs 90-92 in the Executive report, be approved.

3.      That a Band D Council Tax (CBC element) of £1,308.33 for residents of Central Bedfordshire, representing a 0% increase on the charge for 2014/2015 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed budget for 2015/16 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). 

The budget for 2015/16 set out the Council’s finances and identified the efficiencies required in the light of the ongoing reduction of funding from Government and other pressures.  £13.7m of efficiencies had been identified for 2015/16 and a further £28.4m of efficiencies was required over the subsequent three years to achieve the proposed MTFP.

The proposals took account of the requirement under the Care Act for councils to offer the option of a deferred payment scheme to individuals if they met certain criteria.

Reason for decision:  To enable Council to approve the budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015-2019.

RESOLVED

1.      that the response to the consultation with Overview and Scrutiny as set out in Appendix K to the Executive report and the response to consultation with the public and stakeholders, as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report, be noted;

2.      to note there are no adjustments to the draft budget, as described in paragraphs 29-33 of the Executive report;

3.      that the Council Tax Base, as set out in Appendix G to the Executive report, be noted;

4.      that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix I, to the Executive report, will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and the Corporate Management Team be instructed 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; and

5.      to continue to charge individuals when the Council arranges care and support to meet an individual’s needs subject to the appropriate financial assessment taking place; any statutory exemptions; and having regard to the relevant statutory guidance (as set out in paragraphs 80-86 in the Executive report).  This recommendation does not extend to situations where the Council arranges to meet a carer’s support needs.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      that the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2015/16 to 2018/19 be approved;

2.      that the Fees and Charges relating to the Care Act Deferred Payment Scheme, as detailed at paragraphs 90-92 in the Executive report, be approved; and

3.      that a Band D Council Tax (CBC element) of £1,308.33 for residents of Central Bedfordshire, representing a 0% increase on the charge for 2014/2015 be approved.