A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Council and councillors

Agenda item

REPORT FROM CABINET

To receive Report No. 45/2020 from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to the Council for determination and to note the Key Decisions taken at its meetings held on 21st January 2020 and subject to Cabinet approval on 18th February 2020.

 

To approve Cabinet Recommendations to Council for the following reports:

·         Treasury Management Strategy

·         Fees and Charges 2020/21

·         Revenue  and Capital Budget 2020/21 and Medium Term Financial Plan

 

Minutes:

Members of the Council considered report no 45/2020 - Treasury Management Strategy that had been recommended by Cabinet. Councillor G Brown, as the relevant Cabinet Member proposed the recommendations and informed Council there had only minor changes since last year, which were set out in the report. They had also been through the Council’s Scrutiny process and member’s queries had been answered.

 

In response to questions asked, Councillor G Brown confirmed that with regards to the Councils Capital Investment Strategy, the Council’s policy was currently not to invest outside of Rutland and would only be considered in exceptional circumstances and would be brought back to Council for approval.

 

Councillor Hemsley seconded the report.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1)    That the Treasury Management Strategy in Appendix 1 of the report including the Investment Strategy, Borrowing strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision statement and Capital Expenditure Prudential indicators be approved.

 

 2)  That the Capital Investment Strategy in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

 

 

Members of the Council considered report no 04/2020 – Draft Fees and Charges 2020-221 that had been recommended by Cabinet. Councillor G Brown, as the relevant Cabinet Member proposed the recommendations and explained that the taxi and private hire licenses fees would be brought back to Council following the conclusion of the consultation.

 

Councillor G Brown reported that the Council received approximately £4 million from fees and charges each year and noted the importance that fees and charges be set at an appropriate level so as to maximise income to the Council. It was explained that the Fees and Charges were reviewed annually as part of the budget and council tax setting process and needed to be approved in order to be effective from April 2020.

 

Councillor Hemsley seconded the recommendations contained within the report.

 

Councillor Oxley noted that he was pleased that Cabinet had retained the thirty minute free parking which demonstrated support of the Town Centre.

 

In response to questions regarding the level of care home fees Councillor Walters, as the relevant Cabinet Member explained that requests had been made to care providers to provide details of cost increases to inform proposed charges but that very little information had been received.  Consequently, a two percent increase had been calculated in line with inflation but any further information received from care providers would be given due consideration.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the level of fees and charges for 2020/21 as set out in Appendices 1-4 of the report with the exception of taxi and private hire vehicle licenses and Residential Home Care rates be approved.

2.    That it be noted that taxi and private hire vehicle licenses fees would be subject to change based on the outcome of forthcoming consultation through a public notice procedure and be brought back for approval following that consultation.

3.    That it be noted that weekly Residential Home Care rates are subject to a separate report

Members of the Council considered report no 40/2020 –Revenue and Capital Budget 2020-21 and Medium Term Financial Plan that had been recommended by Cabinet. Councillor G Brown, as the relevant Cabinet Member proposed the recommendations and thanked the finance team for their hard work. It was explained that the Council was proposing to set a balanced revenue budget of £38.88m in 2020/21 and noted that there were no proposed changes since the draft budget that would impact the overall position.

 

It was reported that despite a more favourable Settlement than originally expected, the Council’s Government funding was, in cash terms, only marginally more than it was in the previous financial year. It was explained that the funding position was not currently known but based on existing assumptions, the medium term outlook looked challenging and whilst Government funding reforms were in progress the Council was prudently preparing for further funding reductions.

 

In response to question asked, Councillor G Brown noted that there had been an increase in the number of residents who engaged in the budget consultation and significant work had been undertaken to encourage more people to participate.

 

Councillor Hemsley seconded the report.

 

The Chairman reminded members of the mandatory requirement to record votes in relation to the Budget, setting Council Tax and issuing precepts.

 

RESOLVED:

                                           

a)    That the Revenue Budget for 2020/21 detailed in Appendix 1, section 3 of the report be approved.

b)    That the minimum level of general reserves remains at £2m be approved

c)    That a Council Tax increase of 3.99% (of which 2% is for expenditure on adult social care) be approved

d)    That the capital programme as detailed in Section 4 of the Appendix be noted

e)    That additional revenue may be incurred in 2019/20 funded through 2019/20 underspends to be carried forward via earmarked reserves be noted

f)     That a surplus of £126k on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2020 of which £108k is the Rutland share be approved

g)    That the responses to consultation (section 3) be noted

 h) That the updates since the draft budget was approved (section 2.2) be noted

 

The above resolution was voted as follows:

 

FOR THE MOTION (23)

Councillors Ainsley, Baines, Blanksby, Bool, A Brown, G Brown, Burrows, Coleman, Dale, Harvey, Hemsley, Jones. MacCartney, Oxley, Lowe, Payne, Powell, Razzell, Stephenson, Waller, Walters, Webb and Wilby.

 

 

AGAINST THE MOTION (0)

 

ABSTAINING FROM THE MOTION (0)

 

Supporting documents: