Agenda item

Report of Cabinet.

(Councillor Novell, having previously declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the Marsh Community Centre, left the Chamber at several points during the following item when funding for the Centre was discussed.)

Councillor Newman-Thompson, the Cabinet Member for Finance, presented a report of Cabinet updating Council on the latest position regarding the development of the budget and policy framework for 2016/17 to 2019/20 and, in that context, seeking approval of the level of council tax increase for 2016/17 together with targets for subsequent years, subject to local referendum thresholds.

The Mayor advised Members that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and Council Procedure Rule 19.7, a recorded vote would need to be taken in respect of the second part of the recommendation in the report, as this would be a ‘budget decision’ within the terms of the regulations.

Members asked a number of questions, which Councillor Newman-Thompson and the Chief Officer (Resources) responded to.

Councillor Newman-Thompson, seconded by Councillor Clifford, proposed:

“That the revised 2015/16 budget be approved, with the net underspending of £503K reducing the in-year call on balances from £1M to £470K.”

During the course of debate on the proposition, four issues were raised to provide feedback to Cabinet. These were suggestions to:

·        amend the Medium Term Financial Strategy to allow a zero based budgeting approach

·        grant fund the Marsh Community Centre from the Housing Revenue Account budget instead of the General Fund

·        fund the £100k for ICT (digital workplace) from the invest-to-save reserve to allow PCSO funding for another year

·        review the periods of discretionary discount and exemption from council tax currently provided for empty homes.

At the end of debate, a vote was taken and the proposition was carried.

Councillor Newman-Thompson, seconded by Councillor Leyshon, then proposed:

“That a City Council tax increase of 1.99% for 2016/17, together with a year on year target of 1.99% for future years, be approved, subject to local referendum thresholds.”

Councillor Edwards proposed, by way of amendment:

“That there be a freeze on council tax for this year.”

Councillor Wild seconded the amendment.

The Mayor called for a recorded vote on the amendment. The amendment was lost, with the votes recorded as follows:

19 Members voted for the amendment (Councillors Ashworth, Askew, Bateson, Charles, Edwards, Gardiner, Goodrich, Guilding, Helme, Joan Jackson, Mace, Parkinson, Rogerson, Sykes, Thomas, Wild, Peter Williamson, Phillippa Williamson and Yates.

37 Members voted against the amendment (Councillors Armstrong, Atkinson, Barry, Biddulph, Blamire, Brayshaw, Brookes, Brown, Bryning, Clifford, Cozler, Denwood, Devey, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Hartley, Hughes, Caroline Jackson, Kay, Kershaw, Leyshon, Leytham, Mann, Metcalfe, Mills, Novell, Newman-Thompson, Pattison, Redfern, Sands, Sherlock, Smith, Warriner, Whitaker, Whitehead, Wilkinson).

There were no abstentions.

The Mayor then called for a recorded vote on the substantive proposition, which was carried, with the votes recorded as follows:

37 Members voted for the proposition (Councillors Armstrong, Atkinson, Barry, Biddulph, Blamire, Brayshaw, Brookes, Brown, Bryning, Clifford, Cozler, Denwood, Devey, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Hartley, Hughes, Caroline Jackson, Kay, Kershaw, Leyshon, Leytham, Mann, Metcalfe, Mills, Novell, Newman-Thompson, Pattison, Redfern, Sands, Sherlock, Smith, Warriner, Whitaker, Whitehead, Wilkinson).

19 Members voted against the proposition (Councillors Ashworth, Askew, Bateson, Charles, Edwards, Gardiner, Goodrich, Guilding, Helme, Joan Jackson, Mace, Parkinson, Rogerson, Sykes, Thomas, Wild, Peter Williamson, Phillippa Williamson and Yates.

There were no abstentions.

Resolved:

(1)     That the revised 2015/16 budget be approved, with the net underspending of £503K reducing the in-year call on balances from £1M to £470K.

(2)     That a City Council tax increase of 1.99% for 2016/17, together with a year on year target of 1.99% for future years, be approved, subject to local referendum thresholds.

Feedback to Cabinet:

Suggestions to:

·        amend the Medium Term Financial Strategy to allow a zero based budgeting approach

·        grant fund the Marsh Community Centre from the Housing Revenue Account budget instead of the General Fund

·        fund the £100k for ICT (digital workplace) from the invest-to-save reserve to allow PCSO funding for another year

·        review the periods of discretionary discount and exemption from council tax currently provided for empty homes.