Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Joint Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Budget proposals set out in the report be approved.
1.2 That the final General Fund Budget for 2018/19 is based on a council tax increase of 0.5%, an increase of 81p per annum for a Band D property to support the Council’s overall financial position be approved.
1.3 That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Investment Strategy 2018/19 to 2022/23 and HRA Budget for 2018/19 be agreed.
1.4 That the mandatory decrease of 1% in Council House rents, equivalent to an average rent reduction of £0.83 a week, as required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act be implemented.
1.5 That the Sheltered Housing Supported people cost of £3 per week be removed and Service charges be increased by £5 per week for each scheme (set at £4 cap per week last year) meaning a net increase of £2 per week to tenants. This will reduce the subsidy by £30k.
1.6 That Sheltered Housing utility charges are kept at the same level.
1.7 That in principle, Right to Buy receipts should be retained to enabled continued development and acquisition of new council dwellings.
1.8 That garage rents are kept at the same level.
1.9 That the revised HRA Business Plan in Appendix E be noted.
1.10 That the Capital Programme in Appendix D be agreed.
1.11 That the offer to participate for Mid Suffolk in the Business Rate Pilot for 2018/19 as set out in paragraph 11.9 to 11.10 in the report be accepted.
Reason for Decisions:
To ensure that Members approve the budget proposals for 2018/19, Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council Tax for 2018/19.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
The alternative option is that we do not report the budget proposals for 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy, we fail in our statutory duty to set the Council tax for 2018/19.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: Yes
Minutes:
Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced report MCa/17/42 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Burn.
Councillor Otton felt she could not support the proposals at they stood. As such both herself, Councillor Gowrley, Councillor Whitehead would meet to discuss her proposals. She was concerned over the £30,000 set aside for supported living which would penalise residents in sheltered housing as well as an increase in being able to reduce the £200,000 rent loss on council homes and would like to see some work produced on this. £19,000 had been spent on disabled facilities grants, Suffolk County Council had publicly stated that the organisation which they had employed to deal with these had not performed as expected. It was noted sheltered housing came under the HRA and as such had no impact on the Council Tax.
Concern was also raised within paragraph 11.10 of the report, in respect of business rates not being kept separate, also the Growth and Efficiency budget should list where funds had been spent as had been the case in the past. Councillor Whitehead, with the help from the Assistant Director of Finance, explained growth initiatives had been put to Government and agreement reached at the Suffolk Leaders meeting. A further update to be given at Council. Concern was raised that Mid Suffolk should be able to influence whether the £750,000 be spent rather than delegating to the Public Sector Leaders. It was reiterated that Mid Suffolk would decide in both an open and transparent way and as such would come back to Cabinet for approval.
It was pointed out within the January 2018 Cabinet minutes, which had been approved, that paragraph 72.2 said the budget would include the average underspends, however no reference had been made. It was noted much had been obtained from extra income and it was variable, therefore to put comparative detail into the report would prove difficult.
(1) That the Joint Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and Budget proposals set out in the report be approved.
(2) That the final General Fund Budget for 2018/19 is based on a council tax increase of 0.5%, an increase of 81p per annum for a Band D property to support the Council’s overall financial position be approved.
(3) That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Investment Strategy 2018/19 to 2022/23 and HRA Budget for 2018/19 be agreed.
(4) That the mandatory decrease of 1% in Council House rents, equivalent to an average rent reduction of £0.83 a week, as required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act be implemented.
(5) That the Sheltered Housing Supported people cost of £3 per week be removed and Service charges be increased by £5 per week for each scheme (set at £4 cap per week last year) meaning a net increase of £2 per week to tenants. This will reduce the subsidy by £30k.
(6) That Sheltered Housing utility charges are kept at the same level.
(7) That in principle, Right to Buy receipts should be retained to enabled continued development and acquisition of new council dwellings.
(8) That garage rents are kept at the same level.
(9) That the revised HRA Business Plan in Appendix E be noted.
(10) That the Capital Programme in Appendix D be agreed.
(11) That the offer to participate for Mid Suffolk in the Business Rate Pilot for 2018/19 as set out in paragraph 11.9 to 11.10 in the report be accepted.
Reason for Decisions:
To ensure that Members approve the budget proposals for 2018/19, Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Council Tax for 2018/19.
Supporting documents: