Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) The General Fund Budget 2023/24 (original) and projected MTFS as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) The General Fund Budget 2022/23 (revised) as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

(3) An increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of 1% (per annum) resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £204.10 (per annum) for 2023/24.

(4). The revised General Fund Capital Programme 2023/24 as set out at Appendix 6 to the report.

(5) The rates of Fees and Charges proposed at Appendix 5 to the report to apply from 1 April 2023 and to implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown within Appendix 5 as and when notified by

Government.

(6) The Council introduce from 1 April 2024 a new discretionary council tax premium on second homes of up to 100% and apply a premium of up to 100% on homes which have been empty for longer than 1 year following the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill becoming law.

(7) To note the Section 151 Officer’s sign off as outlined in the report.

(Key decision):

(8) To give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet member for finance and assets to make any late adjustments necessary following the announcement of final financial settlement, prior to Full Council submission.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Finance and Performance, asking them to recommend the General Fund Budget 2023/24 and updated Medium Term Financial Strategy, together with the updated Capital Programme and Treasury Management position to Full Council.

Given the significant challenges facing the Council, as outlined in the report, the Cabinet commended the proposed balanced budget, which had been achieved without needing to make reductions to front-line services.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 26 January 2023 considered the report and made the following recommendation to Cabinet:

To support the officer recommendations in the Cabinet report, subject to the following amendment to recommendation 1.3

1.3 That the increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of 1% (per annum) resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £204.10 (per annum) for 2023/24, be reduced to 0% and that should this be agreed, the Chief Finance Officer identifies other areas of the Budget where the required savings can be made.

Councillor Boorman, Chair of Policy and Performance Advisory Committee, was in attendance to present PPAC’s discussion. Councillor Boorman advised that prior to submission to Full Council, the reference in fees and charges to an increased fee for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for taxi licensing, should be amended to reflect the resolution of the Licensing Committee on 12 January 2023, to keep the fee at £65.

Following discussion, it was agreed to add an additional resolution (8), given the Council was awaiting the final financial settlement from central government and this was detailed below. Whilst being understanding of PPAC’s recommendation, the remainder of the budget proposals were voted on as set out in the officer’s report, given it reflected a balanced budget.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) The General Fund Budget 2023/24 (original) and projected MTFS as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) The General Fund Budget 2022/23 (revised) as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

(3) An increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of 1% (per annum) resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £204.10 (per annum) for 2023/24.

(4). The revised General Fund Capital Programme 2023/24 as set out at Appendix 6 to the report.

(5) The rates of Fees and Charges proposed at Appendix 5 to the report to apply from 1 April 2023 and to implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown within Appendix 5 as and when notified by Government.

(6) The Council introduce from 1 April 2024 a new discretionary council tax premium on second homes of up to 100% and apply a premium of up to 100% on homes which have been empty for longer than 1 year following the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill becoming law.

(7) To note the Section 151 Officer’s sign off as outlined in the report.

Resolved (Key decision):

(8) To give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47