The report proposes the Final Budget for 2018/19 and updates the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) approved by Council in February 2017.

RESOLVED

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

2.         To authorise the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive and S151 Officer to make any necessary amendments to the budget in the event of changes resulting from the final Local Government Financial Settlement.

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

4.         To note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) to the Executive report will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessments 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 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved.

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

(a)       a Band D increase of £21.24, representing a 1.494% increase on the charge for 2017/18; and

(b)       a Band D increase of £42.66, representing a 3.0% increase on the charge for 2017/18, reflecting a precept of this amount to help fund adult social care costs.

            In total the Band D increase will be £63.90, representing a 4.494% increase in the charge for 2017/18.  The CBC element of Band D Council Tax for 2018/19 will therefore be £1,485.78.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed Budget for 2018/19 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the proposals and the outcome of the public consultation.  Members acknowledged the statutory requirements relating to specific budget proposals, as set out in Appendix F to the report.

The final Local Government Finance Settlement had not been issued and approval was being sought to authorise the relevant Members and officers to make any necessary amendments to the Budget in the event of any changes resulting from the final Settlement.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to approve the Budget for 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22.

RESOLVED

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

2.         to authorise the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive and S151 Officer to make any necessary amendments to the budget in the event of changes resulting from the final Local Government Financial Settlement;

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

4.         to note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) to the Executive report 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 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved; and

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

(a)          a Band D increase of £21.24, representing a 1.494% increase on the charge for 2017/18; and

(b)       a Band D increase of £42.66, representing a 3.0% increase on the charge for 2017/18, reflecting a precept of this amount to help fund adult social care costs.

            In total the Band D increase will be £63.90, representing a 4.494% increase in the charge for 2017/18.  The CBC element of Band D Council Tax for 2018/19 will therefore be £1,485.78.

The decision was unanimous.