Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
To approve the draft 2018/19 revenue and
capital budget for consultation.
(KEY DECISION)
Report No. 8/2018 from the Director for Resources was received.
Mr O Hemsley, Acting Leader, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to present a draft budget for consultation prior to the budget being formally set in February 2018. The Council was required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council tax for 2018/19.
During his introduction, Mr Hemsley highlighted that reductions in government funding would continue to put pressure on provision of services for Rutland. Mr Hemsley noted that only 20% of funding per head in Rutland comes from Local Government, but that nationally the average was 40% and that Members and Officers would continue to lobby to try to redress this inequality. The proposed increase in Council Tax would go some way to replacing a reduction in funding (£1.5m), but would not be sufficient to help the Council respond to increasing pressures and demand for services. In spite of continuing work on keeping costs low, demand for adult social care and children’s services will necessitate the use of reserves to balance the budget. Following the Cabinet decision, the Draft Budget would go to consultation with the public; the business community; and Parish Councils, as well as being presented to Special Budget Scrutiny Panels in January.
During discussion the following points were raised:
DECISION
1) Cabinet APPROVED for consultation:
· The General Fund Budget for 2018/19 detailed in Appendix 1 section 3 (Report No. 8/2018),
· The savings proposals set out in Appendix 6 (Report No. 8/2018),
· The service pressures contained within Appendix 7 (Report No. 8/2018),
· The Directorate budgets per Appendices 3 – 5 (Report No. 8/2018),
· An increase in Council tax of 4.99% including a 2% social care precept,
· The capital programme as detailed in Section 4 of Appendix 1 (Report No. 8/2018).
2) Cabinet NOTED:
Reasons for the decisions
1. The Council was required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council tax for 2018/19.
2. The draft budget for consultation was affordable within the context of the Medium Term Financial Plan and would allow the Council to meet service aims and objectives for the coming year.
Publication date: 16/01/2018
Date of decision: 16/01/2018
Decided at meeting: 16/01/2018 - Cabinet
Effective from: 24/01/2018
Accompanying Documents: