To consider a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive, 5 February 2019 and answer questions asked under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.1 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

 

(a)      Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan

 

(b)      Capital Programme 2019/20 to 2022/23

 

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

 

(d)      Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy 2019/20

 

(e)      Capital Strategy 2019/20

 

(f)        Investment Strategy 2019/20

 

(g)      Proposed Charges to Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2019/20

 

(h)      Social Care, Health and Housing Fees and Charges 2019/20

 

(i)        and to present the Council Tax resolution.

 

The papers for (a) to (h) can be viewed at the following link:

 

https://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=5587&Ver=4

 

(a)          Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan

 

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the proposed Revenue budget for 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

 

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 loss of the Revenue Support Grant, 2% pay award, increase in the Living Wage, the Homelessness Act and people living longer.  The Financial Settlement provided a one year grant of £1.5m to be ring-fenced for social care and £1m extra New Homes Bonus. 

 

£14.8m of efficiencies had been identified for 2019/20 and £40m efficiencies over the MTFP period.

 

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

 

In response to the results from the public consultation it was proposed to allocate additional funding towards:

 

·         Community Safety

·         Sustainable Transport

·         Town Centre Ranger

·         Community Councillor Fund

·         Parking

·         Countryside Access

·         Culture

 

The Executive were recommending a Council Tax rise of 1%.

 

The Leader of the Independent Group enquired how much of the budget had been allocated towards paying pensions and hoped that the efficiencies could be achieved.

 

The Leader of the Labour Group commented on the demand for services and the financial pressures on families in Central Bedfordshire.  She was concerned that the proposed efficiencies would impact residents, especially on children with mental health problems and learning disabilities.  She felt that the Council should ensure that the budget was spent in the community.  She proposed that the recommendations from the Executive be voted upon separately. 

 

The Liberal Democrat representative recognised the work of Officers and highlighted the pressures on Councils, with the increase in homelessness, social care and the much needed increase in the Living Wage.  Many residents faced loneliness and there was a need to build integrated and resilient communities.  The Health and Wellbeing Board were looking to improve health and wellbeing across Central Bedfordshire, in particular mental health and reducing obesity which was higher in the areas of greatest need.  She sought assurance that this would continue to be a high priority for the Council. 

 

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

 

In response to questions, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources confirmed that the percentage contributed towards pensions in 2019/20 was the same as 2018/19.  It was anticipated that the budget would be underspent at the end of the financial year.  Unemployment in Central Bedfordshire was low.  Resources were being focused on communities in areas where there was the greatest need.  The Community Councillor Fund would allow for Members to bid for funding to help with small projects within their communities. 

 

£1m was being invested in community safety for such issues as increased uniformed presence in the community, CCTV, prevention of anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.  The  Town Ranger scheme had been successful in Dunstable and would be rolled out across the area.  Sustainable transport was very important and additional funds would be put towards improving walkways and cycle routes.

 

The proposal to allow Council to vote on the recommendations from the Executive separately was voted upon with 4 voting in favour and 45 voting against the proposal.  This proposal was lost.

 

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

 

The recommendations from the Executive upon being put to the vote, those in favour:

 

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

 

Councillors Ryan, Swain and Zerny voted against the resolution.

 

Councillor Shingler abstained from voting.

 

RESOLVED

 

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.

 

 

(b)     Capital Programme 2019/20 to 2022/23

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the proposedCapital Programme for 2019/20 to 2022/23.

 

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

 

·         New School Places

·         M1/A6 Link Road

·         Highways Structural Maintenance

·         Integrated Health and Care Hubs in Dunstable and Biggleswade.

 

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

 

Upon being put to the vote, those in favour:

 

Councillors Berry, Blair, Bowater, Brown, Chapman, Chatterley, Collins, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Downing, Duckett, Ferguson, Firth, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Hegley, Jamieson, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Liddiard, Matthews, Maudlin, McVicar, Morris, Nicols, Perham, B Saunders, J Saunders, Shelvey, Shingler, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Tubb, Turner, Versallion, Warren, Watkins, Wells, Wenham, Young and Zerny.

 

No Members voted against the resolution.

 

Councillor Ryan and Swain abstained from voting.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Capital Programme for 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved.

 

 

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

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the proposedbudget for 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 accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Upon being put to the vote, those in favour:

 

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

 

No Members voted against the resolution.

 

No Members abstained from voting.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the plans for additional borrowing of £35M over the MTFP period, to be used for building new affordable housing, be approved;

 

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

 

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

 

4.      that the HRA Revenue Budget for 2019/20 and the Landlord Business Plan Summary at Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved;

 

5.      that the 2019/20 to 2022/23 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 2019/20 in line with the national rental decrease as per Government legislation, be approved.

 

 

(d)     Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy 2019-20

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2019/20.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2019/20, be approved.

 

The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(e)     Capital Strategy 2019/20

 

          The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the Capital Strategy for 2019/20.

 

          RESOLVED

 

that the Capital Strategy for 2019/20 be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote 47 Members voted in favour, no Members voted against and 2 Members abstained from voting.

 

           

(f)      Investment Strategy 2019/20

 

          The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the Investment Strategy for 2019/20.

 

          In response to a question, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources confirmed that the Capital and Investment Strategies had been scrutinised by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, but the Chairman of the Audit Committee could request for them to be considered by the Audit Committee.

 

          RESOLVED

 

          that the Investment Strategy for 2019/20 be approved.

 

          The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(g)     Proposed Charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2019/20

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies for 2019/20.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the charges for traded services to Schools and Academies 2019/20, as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report, be approved;

 

2.      that the charges for the new services to be introduced for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix B to the Executive report, be approved; and

 

3.      that the year on year price changes, as set out in Appendix C, and the volumetrics analysis for 2017/18 and 2018/19, set out in Appendix D to the Executive report, be noted.

 

The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(h)     Social Care, Health and Housing Fees & Charges 2019/20

 

          The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2019, seeking approval of the revised Social Care, Health and Housing fees and charges for 2019/20.

 

          RESOLVED

 

1.      that the fees and charges prices for 2019/20, as set out in Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved; and

 

2.      that the new fees and charges for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved.

 

The decision was unanimous.

 

 

(i)      Council Tax Resolution

 

          The Council considered a recommendation in respect of the Council Tax Resolution arising from the budget proposals approved above.

 

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

 

Upon being put to the vote, those in favour:

 

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

 

Councillor Zerny voted against the resolution.

 

No Members abstained from voting.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Council Tax Resolution, set out in Appendix A, be approved.