Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance,
which outlined a recommendation to Council in respect of the Budget, Capital
Programme and Council Tax for 2015/16.
It was noted that, at the time of writing the report, the Cheshire Police
and Crime Commissioner and the Cheshire Fire Authority had not set their
budgets and Council Tax precepts. However, final figures would be reported to
Council when the information was available.
The Government announced the Final Local Government Finance Settlement
figure for 2015/16 on 5 February 2014, which was in line with the Provisional
Settlement announced on 18 December 2014.
In terms of consultation, it was noted that the Council used various
methods to listen to the views of the public and Members’ own experiences
through their Ward work was an important part of that process. Budget
presentations had taken place at all of the Area Forums and details of the
comments made were tabled at the meeting. In addition, individual consultations
would take place in respect of specific budget proposals and equality impact
assessments would be completed where necessary.
The Board was advised that the Medium Term Financial Strategy, approved
on 20 November 2014, had identified a funding gap of around £19m in 2015/16,
£13m in 2016/17 and £10m in 2017/18. The Strategy had the following objectives:
·
Deliver
a balanced and sustainable budget;
·
Prioritise
spending towards the Council’s five priority areas;
·
Avoid
excessive Council Tax rises;
·
Achieve
significant cashable efficiency gains;
·
Protect
essential front line services; and
·
Deliver
improved procurement.
On 10 December 2014, the Council approved initial budget savings of
£11.332m for 2015/16, and further proposed savings were shown at Appendix B.
The Departmental analysis of the budget was shown in Appendix C and the major
reasons for change from the current budget were outlined for Members’
information in Appendix D. It was noted that the proposed budget total was £101.188m.
The Board was advised that the proposed budget incorporated the grant
figures announced in the Provisional Grant Settlement, and included £440,000
for the New Homes Bonus Grant, payable to local authorities based on the net
increase in the number of homes in their area. The grant was payable at this
amount for six years.
It was noted that from 1 April 2013, the Local Government funding regime
changed significantly with the introduction of the Business Rates Retention
Scheme, as outlined in the report.
Further information was provided in respect of the budget outlook,
although it was difficult to forecast resources over the following two years
given the uncertainties caused by the current economic climate and the
Government’s continuing austerity measures and the national election in May
2015. The Medium Term Financial Forecast had been updated and was attached at
Appendix E. It was noted that the resultant
funding gap over the next two years was forecast to be in the region of £31.9m.
Further information was provided in respect of Halton’s Council Tax, Parish Precepts, Capital Programme, the Prudential Code and school budgets.
Members wished to place on record their thanks to all members of the
Budget Working Group, Policy and Performance Board Chairs and staff for their
hard work in producing this year’s budget.
RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to adopt the resolution
set out in Appendix A of the report, which included setting the budget at
£101.188m, the Council Tax requirement of £38.649m (before
Parish, Police and Fire Precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,204.01.
Supporting documents: