Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Finance.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)        approve the overall spending proposals in respect of both its revenue and capital budgets;

(2)        the Council Tax for each Band be approved as set out in section 8.19.3, subject to Devon County Council, the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority confirming their Band D levels respectively;

(3)        when the actual Council Tax amounts for Devon County Council, the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority are set, then the revised Council Tax levels submitted to Council on 23 February 2021 be approved; and

(4)        the Statement given by the Director Finance as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 be noted.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the proposed General Fund revenue estimates for 2021/22 and recommending the Band D level of Council Tax for 2021/22. The report also included the proposed Capital Programme for 2021/22 and future years, and the proposals in respect of the Housing Revenue Account.

Particular reference was made to the following:-

·         the recent Government announcement of the Local Government Finance Settlement with no change to the provisional settlement;

·         the Referendum Principles for the Council Tax set by the Government would allow the Council to increase the tax by £5 but, if increased above that level, would lead to a requirement for a referendum to be held;

·         the Council’s core spending power would remain the same as the current financial year;

·         the Medium Term Financial Plan required savings of £6 million up to the period 2024/25;

·         the HRA Medium Term Financial Plan would drop reserves close to minimum levels by 2023/24; and

·         final figures would be reported to the Extraordinary Council on 23 February 2021 when the Devon County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority precepts would be known.

Members noted that a £5 increase in the Council Tax equated to 10p a week.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)        approve the overall spending proposals in respect of both its revenue and capital budgets;

(2)        the Council Tax for each Band be approved as set out in section 8.19.3, subject to Devon County Council, the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority confirming their Band D levels respectively;

(3)        when the actual Council Tax amounts for Devon County Council, the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority are set, then the revised Council Tax levels submitted to Council on 23 February 2021 be approved; and

(4)        the Statement given by the Director Finance as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 be noted.