Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor Holt on behalf of the Cabinet.

Please note that the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 require named votes to be taken and recorded when setting the annual budget and council tax, this to include substantive motions and any amendments.

This matter was reported and proposed by Councillor Holt on behalf of the Cabinet and seconded by Councillor Tutt.  The Council considered the reports to Cabinet, the minutes and resolutions from Cabinet held on 6 February 2019, and the updated report of the Chief Finance Officer.  The Scrutiny Committee had considered the proposals on 4 February 2019 and made no recommendations for change.

Councillor Holt made his budget speech setting out the proposals within the budget.  He advised that this included the proposal for a 2.96% increase in Council tax (Band D), no cuts to front line services, continued investments into the town, and support for local communities including £400-£500k in housing grants.  Councillor Di Cara responded on behalf of the opposition to the budget, expressing her disappointment that she did not feel that the Group had had sufficient information to put forward an opposition budget, and expressing concern as to the extent of borrowing set out in the budget and the overrun of some of the Capital projects.  The budget was debated by members from across the Council.  As part of this debate, Members thanked the Chief Finance Officer and her team for the preparation of the budget.

The motion was put to a recorded vote.

Resolved (By 15 votes to 7 with 1 abstention).That approval be given to the following:

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Recommended to Council: (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To approve the general fund budget for 2018/19 (revised) and 2019/20 (original), set out at appendix 1, including growth and savings proposals for 2019/20 as set out at appendix 2.

(2) To approve an increase in the Council Tax for Eastbourne Borough Council of 2.99% resulting in a Band D charge of £246.77 for 2019/20.

(3) To approve the revised general fund capital programme 2018/22 as set out at appendix 3.

(4) To note the section s151 Officers sign off as outlined in section 1.6 of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, detailing the general fund budget proposals for 2019/20 and capital programme 2018/22.

Visiting member, Councillor Wallis addressed the Cabinet and outlined the continued issues in alleyways and tree stumps around the Borough and the need to tackle the problem, potentially through the Neighbourhood First team. Councillor Wallis and the Cabinet were unanimous in praise of the team for their reactive and proactive work around the town.

Although not the responsibility of the Council, the Cabinet agreed to work together with other members and officers to identify an approach to the issues raised and would continue to raise awareness at East Sussex County Council. Councillor Ungar had already undertaken work on tackling the tree stump issue.

Summary of the budget proposals, detailed in the report, included overall savings and new income totalling £1.7 million, efficiency savings of £0.6 million, new and increased income of £1.1 million and other recurring service growth of £1.1 million. This was despite a further reduction in government funding of £0.445 million. The Council had continued to retain front line services despite regular cuts from central government, through innovative ideas such as agile working, contract management and an entrepreneurial approach to investment.

The Chief Finance Officer provided assurance that the integrated budget and corporate planning process provided a robust basis for identifying appropriate budget estimates and appropriate level of reserves. She added that in her view, the Council was reasonably placed financially to meet the demands on its services.  However, the economic climate was uncertain and the challenge over the medium term was likely to be profound.  Overall, more change was necessary to move to a sustainable position. The Cabinet expressed their thanks to the Chief Finance Officer, Finance team, past and present for their long term view when planning and producing budgets.

Recommended to Council: (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To approve the general fund budget for 2018/19 (Revised) and 2019/20 (original), set out at appendix 1 to the report, including growth and savings proposals for 2019/20 as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

(2) To approve an increase in the Council Tax for Eastbourne Borough Council of 2.99% resulting in a Band D charge of £246.77 for 2019/20.

(3) To approve the revised general fund capital programme 2018/22 as set out at appendix 3 to the report.

(4) To note the section s151 Officers sign off as outlined in section 1.6 of the report.

Reason for decisions:

The Cabinet had to recommend to Full Council the setting of a revenue budget and associated council tax for the forthcoming financial year by law.