To consider a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive, 6 February 2018 and answer questions asked under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.1 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

 

(a)  Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Plan.

 

(b)  Capital Programme 2018/19 to 2021/22.

 

(c)  Budget for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan).

 

(d)  Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy.

 

(e)  Social Care, Health & Housing Fees and Charges 2018/19.

 

(f)   Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2018/19.

 

(g)  and to present the Council Tax resolution.

 

Please note: The papers for (a) to (f) above can be viewed at the following link;

 

http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=5374

 

 

(a)      Budget 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Plan.

 

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018, seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2018/19.

 

In his introduction, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources commented on the range of external factors which had influenced the proposed budget. In particular, the reductions in Government funding, the loss of the Revenue Support Grant in 2019/20 and the welcomed but unfunded increases in the Living Wage. He commented on the outcome of the public consultation and that the draft budget had been scrutinised by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

 

He spoke about the pressure on services, particularly in social care with the increase in population and the number of residents aged between 65 to 85 years old increasing.  He also highlighted the additional pressure resulting from the increase in vulnerable children, school transport costs and homelessness.

 

The final Local Government Finance Settlement had been received which, included an additional one year only grant ring fenced for adult social care.  The New Homes Bonus would continue, although at a reduced rate and this would provide some support to the General Fund with a small surplus going to a reserve to help fund future capital investments.

 

The Executive Member highlighted the statutory requirements relating to specific budget proposals, as set out in Appendix F to the Executive report. 

 

In response to the budget consultation, the Executive Member for Corporate Resources advised that the Executive had recommended a Council Tax rise of 1.49%, a lower rate of increase than one of the options set out in the Council’s public consultation exercise and a 3.0% increase specifically to help fund adult social care.

 

The Leader of the Independent Group commented on the response from the public consultation to the increase in the Council Tax.

 

The Leader of the Labour Group advocated that a progressive approach to taxation to encourage growth and minimise the impact on local people on lower income.

 

Other Members of the Council were invited to comment on the proposed budget.

 

The Leader and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources responded to comments made during the debate.

 

RESOLVED

 

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 be applied:

 

(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.

 

In accordance with the Local authorities (Standing Orders)(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolution were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Bowater, Brown, Chatterley, Collins, Costin, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Downing, Duckett, Ferguson, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Gurney, Hegley, Jamieson, Janes, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Liddiard, Matthews, McVicar, Morris, Nicols, Perham, B Saunders, J Saunders, Shelvey, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Turner, Versallion, Walker, Warren, Watkins, Wells, Wenham, Woodward and Young.

 

Councillors Ryan, Swain and Zerny voted against the resolution.

 

Councillor Shingler abstained from voting.

 

 

(b)      Capital Programme 2018/19 to 2021/22.

 

The Council considered the recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018 setting out the proposed Capital Programme for 2018/19 – 2021/22.

 

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources drew attention to some of the major investments planned, including:

 

·         £28M for Integrated Health and Care Hubs, including in Biggleswade

·         £48M on new schools and school places

·         £55M to fund the A6-M1 link road starting from the new Junction 11a on the M1

·         £18M for the dualling of the A421 between Junction 13 M1 and Milton Keynes Magna Park

·         £14M to provide new leisure and library services in Dunstable.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Capital Programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved.

 

In accordance with the Local authorities (Standing Orders)(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolution were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Bowater, Brown, Chatterley, Collins, Costin, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Downing, Duckett, Ferguson, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Gurney, Hegley, Jamieson, Janes, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Liddiard, Matthews, McVicar, Morris, Nicols, Perham, Ryan, B Saunders, J Saunders, Shelvey, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Swain, Turner, Versallion, Walker, Warren, Watkins, Wells, Wenham, Woodward and Young.

 

Councillors Shingler and Zerny voted against the resolution.

 

No Councillors abstained from voting.

 

 

(c)      Budget for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan).

 

The Council considered the recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018 in respect of the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan).

 

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations set out the proposals covering the Housing Revenue Account.

 

In response to a question the Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations referred to steps planned and underway designed to bring empty homes back into use.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.            that the recent legislative changes relating to Housing Finance and their impact on the Landlord Business Plan, be noted;

 

2.            that the transfer of the former Care Home at the Birches in Shefford (once fully vacated) from the Council’s General Fund to the HRA, at a transfer value of £1.15M, be approved;

 

3.            that the Landlord Business Investment Plan, which proposes HRA investment throughout the Council area, be approved;

 

4.            that the HRA Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and the Landlord Business Plan summary at Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved;

 

5.            that the 2018/19 to 2021/22 HRA Capital Programme at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved; and

 

6.            that the average rent decrease of 1% for Council tenancies for 2018/19 in line with the national rental decrease, be approved.

 

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolution were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Bowater, Brown, Chatterley, Collins, Costin, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Downing, Duckett, Ferguson, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Gurney, Hegley, Jamieson, Janes, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Liddiard, Matthews, McVicar, Morris, Nicols, Perham, Ryan, B Saunders, J Saunders, Shelvey, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Swain, Turner, Versallion, Walker, Warren, Watkins, Wells, Wenham, Woodward, Young and Zerny.

 

No Councillors voted against the resolution.

 

No Councillors abstained from voting.

 

 

(d)      Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy

 

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018 in respect of the Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2018/19 be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote 49 Members voted in favour and 2 Members voted against the resolution.

 

 

(e)      Social Care, Health & Housing Fees and Charges 2018/19

 

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018 in respect of Social Care Health and Housing Fees and Charges 2018/19.

 

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    that the revised fees and charges for 2018/19, as set out at   Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved; and

 

2.    that the new fees and charges to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved.

 

The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(f)        Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2018/19

 

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 6 February 2018 concerning Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.            that the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and      Academies for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix A to the Executive report, be approved;

 

2.         that the charges for the new services to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix B to the Executive report, be approved; and

 

3.            that the year on year changes to charges, set out at Appendix C,   and the volumetrics analysis for 2016/17 and 2017/18, set out at Appendix D to the Executive report, be approved.

 

The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(g)      Council Tax Resolution.

 

The Council considered a recommendation in respect of the Council Tax Resolution as set out at Appendix A to the report submitted.  The detailed individual parish precepts were set out at Appendix B.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Council Tax Resolution as set out in appendix A be approved.

 

In accordance with The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolution were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Bowater, Brown, Chatterley, Collins, Costin, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Downing, Duckett, Ferguson, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Gurney, Hegley, Jamieson, Janes, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Liddiard, Matthews, McVicar, Morris, Nicols, Perham, B Saunders, J Saunders, Shelvey, Shingler, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Swain, Turner, Versallion, Walker, Warren, Watkins, Wells, Wenham, Woodward and Young.

 

Coucillors Ryan and Zerny voted against the resolution.

 

No Councillors abstained from voting.