Issue - meetings

To pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED:-

(1)        That the following, as submitted in the Estimates Book, be approved:-

            (a)        the Revenue estimates for 2024-2025;

            (b)        the Capital programme for 2024-2025;

(c)        the Fees & Charges for 2024-2025;

            (d)        the Treasury Management Strategy for 2024-2025;

(e)        the Prudential indicators for 2024-2025 (incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement); and

            (f)        the Capital Strategy for 2024-2025.

(2)        that it be noted that, at the meeting of the Executive on the 9 January 2024, the Council calculated the figure of 39,045, as its council tax base for the year 2024-2025 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

(3)        that the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2024-2025 in accordance with Sections 31A of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992:-

(a)        £120,007,420 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2)(a) to (f) of the Act;

(b)        £112,964,874 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3)(a) to (d) of the Act;

(c)        £7,042,546 being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (3)(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year;

(d)        £180.37 being the amount at (3)(c) above divided by the amount at 2 above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year;

            (e)        Valuation Bands

Being the amount given by multiplying the amount at (3)(d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

(4)        That it will be noted that, for the year 2024-2025, Devon County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority have stated the following amounts on precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 2003, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:-

            Devon County Council

            Devon County Council - Adult Social Care

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the resolution as set out in the agenda and circulated papers in respect of the Council Tax for Exeter for 2024/25.

The following alternative budget had been submitted by the Progressive Group:-

Alternatives to the proposed budget by the Progressive Group – received Wednesday 14 February 2024

Proposer: Councillor Diana Moore

Seconder: Councillor Michael Mitchell

The Progressive Group noted the Budget put forward and proposed the following amendments  to the medium term financial strategy:-

Amendment 1: Capital Budget: investment in improving recycling and food waste service. 

To address the £6 million funding gap of the £8 million required for the materials reclamation facility in the MTFS and establish a doorstep glass recycling service:

a)    Sale of the Civic Centre - a minimum of £2.5m capital income;

b)    Reallocation of the Civic Centre HFX Door Access Requirement (£100,0000) to this purpose;

c)    Fund the remainder by using unallocated CIL and undertaking a review of the CIL budget of projects which have underspent or have allocated resources that have not yet been used, in order to prioritise investment in the MRF and doorstep glass recycling collections.

Amendment 2: Service Improvements over medium term financial plan.

Improve efficiencies and cooperation between Councils: Negotiate a move of back office functions to Devon County Council offices or, failing that, another property within ECC portfolio. Operating costs assumed to be similar in terms of overheads and a reduction in office space requirement. Move to be funded by £100,000 of the additional revenue grant received from Government and funds from the sale of the property as required.

Investment in customer services: To move ECC customer service centre to an empty shop in the Guildhall Shopping Centre to provide an accessible and welcoming public face and regenerate an empty shop in the Guildhall with an anchor tenant: the Council. The set up and the overhead operating costs to be funded by the unearmarked surplus from the Guildhall Shopping Centre.

To undertake a review of Leisure Services with a view to being on a stable financial basis  over the life of the MTFS with the aim of becoming cost neutral.

Amendment 3. Service Improvements for 2024-25 budget

Allotment Service: £40,000

·         Reverse the 2024/25 in year allotment fee increase of £20,450 to spread this over three years so that the fees cover service costs over a three-year period. Assuming 5% inflation each year thereafter, this is an addition to the MTFS of £15,030 to 26/27.

·         To invest £24,969 in allotment improvements in discussion with allotment holders.

·         Both of these points above to be funded by £40,000 from the additional revenue grant received from Government.

·         To reduce administration costs by enabling a direct debit service for the payment of fees.

·         Introduce a deposit scheme equivalent to three months’ rent (except for those in receipt of any benefits) to be forfeited should a tenant be evicted due to non-cultivation. Forfeited deposits to be reinvested in allotment improvements.

·         Investigate the development of new allotment sites on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4

To pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED:-

(1)        That the following, as submitted in the Estimates Book, be approved:-

            (a)        the Revenue estimates for 2023-2024;

            (b)        the Capital programme for 2023-2024;

            (c)        the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023-2024;

(d)        the Prudential indicators for 2023-2024 (incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement); and

            (e)        the Capital Strategy for 2023-2024.

(2)        that it be noted that, at the meeting of the Executive on the 10 January 2023, the Council calculated the figure of 38,247, as its council tax base for the year 2023-2024 in accordance with the Local Authorities  (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

(3)        that the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2023-2024 in accordance with Sections 31A of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992:-

(a)        £122,016,928 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2)(a) to (f) of the Act;

(b)        £115,318,731 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3)(a) to (d) of the Act;

(c)        £6,698,197 being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (3)(b) above, calculated by the Council, in  accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year;

(d)        £175.13 being the amount at (3)(c) above divided by the amount at 2 above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year;

            (e)        Valuation Bands

Being the amount given by multiplying the amount at (3)(d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

(4)        That it will be noted that, for the year 2023-2024, Devon County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority have stated the following amounts on precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act 2003, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:-

            Devon County Council

            Devon County Council - Adult Social Care

Minutes 6 (General Fund/HRA Estimates and Capital Programme 2023/24), 7 (Capital Strategy 2023/24), 8 (The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (Incorporating the Annual Statement of Minimum Revenue Provision) and 9 (Treasury Management Strategy Report 2023/24) of the meeting of the Combined Strategic Scrutiny and Customer Focus Scrutiny Committees held on 9 February 2023 were taken as read and noted.

Minute 8 (Council Tax Base and NNDR 1 2023/24) of the meeting of Executive held on 10 January 2023 was taken as read and adopted. 

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the resolution as set out in the agenda and circulated papers in respect of the Council Tax for Exeter for 2023/24.

The following alternatives to the Budget had been submitted by the Progressive Group:-

Alternatives to the proposed budget by the Progressive Group – received Wednesday 15 February 2023

Proposer: Councillor Diana Moore

Seconder: Councillor Carol Bennett

The Progressive Group noted the Budget put forward and proposed the following amendments:

Amendment 1: Capital Budget 

The proposed budget transfers surplus income from the Guildhall Shopping Centre for 2023/24 (£1,089,000) to earmarked reserves for use for purposes as agreed with Government. The amendment is to use the surplus income for relevant purposes i.e. to repair the Guildhall Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) (Part A), so releasing the funds proposed to be drawn down through borrowing for use on other projects (set out in Part B):

Part A:

a.    Use £883,400 of the surplus income to fund the repairs to the Guildhall MSCP £883,400 in 2025/26, which would be in line with the agreement with Government. 

b.    To install and pilot in the Guildhall Car Park two lockable bicycle shelters for use by residents and one Bike Dock Solutions (BDS) cycle charging point for use by visitors and residents at a total cost of £9,400. 

The remaining surplus income (£196,200) should be transferred to earmarked reserves.

Part B:

The investment (from borrowing) for works to the Guildhall MSCP to be reallocated for: 

a.    A contribution of £537,750 for the replacement of Mallison Bridge to match partners’ contributions (£500,000 Devon County Council, Exeter Canal and Quay Trust and the Mallison Bequest). Total project costs £1,037,750. The replacement of Mallison Bridge not only alleviates the problems created on the historic Quayside of funnelling all users through a small passageway but will also restore a strategic cycle and walking route.

b.    Invest £250,000 in the parks and open spaces infrastructure in the City Centre parks to boost investment in nature, play and improve community safety.

c.     One off refurbishment of Musgrave Row public toilets of £95,650.

Amendment 2: General Fund

Car Parks It is proposed to:- 

A.    Extend the charging periods on a Thursday evening for the John Lewis, Guildhall, Mary Arches (ground level) and Mary Arches (multi storey) to align with the charges for those car parks on every other night of the week (i.e. to 10pm) and all other Central and Zone 1 Car parks. This will raise (£37,077.60) p.a.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5