Report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached.

Appendix 8 – 2019/20 Draft Budget Book is available to view online.

Contact James Walton Tel 01743 255011

It was proposed by the Leader, Councillor P Nutting and seconded by Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor D Minnery that the report of the Director of Finance, Governance and Assurance on the Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2023/24, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes, and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

Members noted a lack of information from Government on funding provision after the fourth year of the current Financial Settlement.  This was accompanied by uncertainties over the impact of the Fair Funding Formula and the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Members expressed concern regarding the reduction of funding for Public Health Preventive Programmes, and that these reductions would lead to unintended consequences.   In response to a Member’s request The Leader agreed to write to the Secretary of State regarding concerns over mental health provision for children and young people.

In response to Members’ concerns regarding the accuracy of the Financial Strategy and the Council’s ability to deliver the savings detailed within it, the Portfolio Holder for Finance assured Members that the Financial Strategy would be delivered, but as with all budgets the delivery would be affected by future events which may alter details set out in the Financial Strategy.  The Leader observed that the Council continued to be ambitious and that it was prudent that funds be added to reserves.

On being put to a recorded vote the proposition was carried by 40 Members voting in favour, 19 against and 1 abstention, as follows:

FOR (40)

Cllrs Adams, Aldcroft, Aspinall, Bardsley, Barrow, Biggins, Butler, Carroll, Chapman, Charmley, Davenport, Dee, D Evans, Gittings, Harris, Hartley, Hunt, M T Jones, Laurens, Lea, Lee, Macy, Milner, Minnery, Morris, Mullock, Nutting, Parr, Pate, Phillips, Picton, Price, Potter, Roberts, Shineton, Turner, Wild, Williams, Winwood, Woodward.

AGAINST (19)

Cllrs Clarke, Dean, R Evans, Fraser. Green, Hartin, R Huffer, T Huffer, I Jones, Kidd, Mellings, Moseley, Mosley, Pardy, Parry, Parsons, Taylor, Turley, Vasmer.

ABSTAIN (1)

Cllr Boddington

RESOLVED:

i)       That the 2019/20 budget of £593.080m outlined in the Budget Book at Appendix 7, including the savings proposals outlined at Appendix 4 be approved.

ii)      That the changes required to the 2019/20 budget as a result of the Provisional and Final Local Government Settlement and revised business rates and collection fund estimates be noted.

iii)     That the revised funding gap for the years 2020/21 to 2023/34 be noted.

iv)    That the continued use of the Policy for Flexibility around the use of Capital Receipts be noted.

v)      That the Statement of Chief Financial Officer on the Robustness of the Estimates and Adequacy of Reserves 2018-24 as set out in Appendix 9, noting the Council’s general fund balance over this period be agreed.

vi)    That the Pay and Rewards Policy for all Council staff for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 11 be agreed.