Cabinet Member for Finance
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.3, immediately after any vote is taken at a budget decision meeting of the Council the names of Councillors who cast a vote for the decision or against the decision or who abstained from voting shall be recorded in the Minutes of that meeting.
At its meeting on 6 February 2023, Cabinet considered Paper MCa/22/41, the General Fund Budget for 2023/24 and four-year outlook. Paper MC/22/35 now includes all the relevant updated information together with the necessary recommendations. The tax base, precepts and council tax band information at parish level has also been updated with the exception of four Parishes where the formal written precept notification remains outstanding. Further details will be reported at the meeting.
Minutes:
99.1 The Chair invited Councillor Whitehead – Cabinet Member for Finance, to introduce report MC/22/35.
99.2 Councillor Whitehead outlined the purpose of the report and PROPOSED the recommendations contained within the report, which was SECONDED by Councillor Morley.
99.3 Councillor Mellen introduced and PROPOSED the amendment from the Green and Liberal Democrat Group, as detailed in the tabled papers. The amendment was SECONDED by Councillor Whitehead and accepted by Councillor Morley.
99.4 Councillor Passmore queried how the proposal within the amendment would be targeted and eligibility.
99.5 Councillor Matthissen responded that this had been addressed through the Warmer HomesScheme.
99.6 The Chair clarified that it would be a Cabinet decision.
99.7 Councillor Fleming questioned whether the content of the amendment presented any concerns or alterations to the budget.
99.8 Councillor Whitehead and the Director of Corporate Resources confirmed that the amendment posed no concerns to them or the budget.
99.9 Councillor Scarff inquired about the continuity of Councillor locality grants due to the merger of different funds and why they were not listed within the budget.
99.10 Councillor Whitehead confirmed that Councillor locality grants were included in the budget and advised that a community development fund had also been allocated for local projects.
99.11 Councillor Field asked for reassurance that there had been no significant changes to the budget figures since the second quarter.
99.12 Councillor Whitehead confirmed no significant changes, and the Director for Corporate Resources confirmed the budget is in line with the projections from the second quarter.
99.13 Councillor Stringer asked whether Gateway 14 was eligible to pay business rates as it was a freeport.
99.14 Councillor Whitehead responded that although the businesses would not be eligible to pay business rates, the equivalent amount would be allocated by central government.
99.15 Councillor Passmore requested confirmation that sufficient provision existed within the budget for maintenance of the leisure facilities.
99.16 Councillor Whitehead confirmed that there was nothing to indicate otherwise.
99.17 During the debate, Councillors discussed their support for the proposed amendment, funding for training for retrofit work, improvements to the Councils housing stock and staff pay awards. The legacy of the Council was discussed in support of the council tax freeze alongside Council investments, Mid Suffolk Growth, Gateway 14 and the Community grants fund. Digitalisation and the efficient delivery of services to residents was discussed. Support and current investments for leisure centres was also voiced.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.3, the vote was recorded as follows:
For |
Against |
Abstain |
Oliver Amorowson |
|
|
Gerard Brewster |
|
|
David Burn |
|
|
Terence Carter |
|
|
James Caston |
|
|
Austin Davies |
|
|
Paul Ekpenyong |
|
|
John Field |
|
|
Julie Flatman |
|
|
Jessica Fleming |
|
|
Helen Geake |
|
|
Peter Gould |
|
|
Lavinia Hadingham |
|
|
Matthew Hicks |
|
|
Barry Humphreys |
|
|
Sarah Mansel |
|
|
John Matthissen |
|
|
Andrew Mellen |
|
|
Richard Meyer |
|
|
Suzie Morley |
|
|
David Muller |
|
|
Mike Norris |
|
|
Penny Otton |
|
|
Timothy Passmore |
|
|
Stephen Phillips |
|
|
Daniel Pratt |
|
|
Harry Richardson |
|
|
Keith Scarff |
|
|
Andrew Stringer |
|
|
Keith Welham |
|
|
John Whitehead |
|
|
Rowland Warboys |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL 32 |
|
|
By a unanimous vote,
It was RESOLVED:
1.1 That the General Fund Budget proposals for 2023/24 and four year outlook set out in the report the approved.
1.2 That the General Fund Budget for 20023/24 is based on no increase to the Band D Council Tax.
1.3 That council ring-fences £2 million from the Strategic Transformation and Infrastructure Reserve and other unspent reserves such as the Strategic Priorities – Housing Reserve to tackle the energy, cost of living and climate crises in Mid Suffolk.
Supporting documents: