Agenda item

Referral from Cabinet.

Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member for Finance, presented a report of Cabinet to update Council and gain its feedback on the latest position regarding the development of the budget and policy framework for 2017/18 to 2020/21 and in that context, to seek approval of the level of council tax increase for 2017/18 together with targets for subsequent years, subject to local referendum thresholds.

The Chief Executive 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 Whitehead and Chief Officers responded to.  In response to a question from Councillor Barry regarding the hours worked and ‘double time’ overtime figures for last year and those proposed for next year for street cleansers, the Chief Officer (Environment) confirmed that he would provide further information.

Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Blamire proposed:

“That the revised budget for 2016/17 be approved with the net overspending of £39K reducing the in-year contribution to Balances from £56K to £17K.”

During the course of the debate several issues were raised to provide feedback to Cabinet.  These were:

-       Further details regarding the £500K economic growth reserve.

-       A request for realistic savings as many proposed savings did not come to fruition last year.

-       That Cabinet consider reappraising the Solar Farm, Middleton.

At the end of the debate Members voted on the proposition.  39 Members voted in favour, 14 against with 1 abstention and the Chairman declared the proposition to be carried.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:

“That a City Council tax increase of £5 for 2017/18, together with a year on year target of £5 for future years, subject to local referendum thresholds, be approved.”

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

36 Members voted for the proposition (Councillors Armstrong, Ashworth, Atkinson, Biddulph, Blamire, Brayshaw, Brookes, Brown, Bryning, Burns, Clifford, Clift, Cozler, Denwood, Devey, Hall, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Hartley, Hughes, Caroline Jackson, Kay, Kershaw, Leyshon, Leytham, Metcalfe, Mills, Pattison, Redfern, Reynolds, Sands, Scott, Sherlock, Thynne, Whitaker and Whitehead).

17 Members voted against the proposition (Councillors Barry, Charles, Edwards, Gardiner, Goodrich, Guilding, Joan Jackson, Mace, Novell, Parkinson, Rogerson, Sykes, Wild, Wilkinson, Peter Williamson, Phillippa Williamson and Yates).

1 Member abstained (Councillor Woodruff).

Resolved:

(1)          That the revised budget for 2016/17 be approved with the net overspending of £39K reducing the in-year contribution to Balances from £56K to £17K.

(2)          That a City Council tax increase of £5 for 2017/18, together with a year on year target of £5 for future years, subject to local referendum thresholds, be approved.

Feedback to Cabinet:

-       Further details regarding the £500K economic growth reserve.

-       A request for realistic savings as many proposed savings did not come to fruition last year.

-       That Cabinet consider reappraising the Solar Farm, Middleton.