Report No.43/2018 from the Director for Resources was received.

Mr O Hemsley, Leader of the Council, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council tax for 2018/19.  The report presented the final budget for Cabinet to recommend to Council for approval.

During discussion the following points were raised:

1. There had been less than 40 responses to the public consultation.  It was clear from the responses that further work was required in order to engage residents and increase understanding of the Councils financial position;
2. The lack of understanding identified was a national issue, but the Council was working towards improving the way in which financial information was presented, so that it was in a more accessible and understandable format.  The Assistant Director (Finance), Mr Della Rocca, confirmed that a consultant had been employed in order to develop a communications strategy to increase dissemination of information on the financial position of the Council and how it compared to other authorities including; how the Council spends its money; the funding position; savings and changes to Council Tax.

DECISION

Cabinet RECOMMENDED to Council that it:

1)     APPROVES the Revenue Budget for 2018/19 detailed in Appendix 1, section 3;

2)     APPROVES that the minimum level of general reserves remains at £2m ;

3)     APPROVES a Council Tax increase of 4.99% including a 2% social care precept;

4)     NOTES the capital programme as detailed in Section 4 of Appendix 1;

5)     NOTES that additional revenue may be incurred in 2018/19 funded through 2017/18 underspends to be carried forward via earmarked reserves;

6)     APPROVES a collection fund deficit of £80,000 for clawback of which £70,000 is the Rutland share.

Reasons for the decision

1.  The Council is required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council tax for 2018/19. 

2.  The budget is affordable within the context of the MTFP and will allow the Council to meet service aims and objectives for the coming year.