Issue - meetings

To set out for cabinet consideration and recommendation to council the proposed 2021/22 budget and council tax.

The budget as presented;

a)  has been drafted on a base 1.55% increase in council tax for 2021/22 applied to the average BCP council tax for 2020/21 as permitted by Government under the Dorset local government review process.

b)  harmonises council tax at £1,541.57 from 1 April 2021 which is the amount assumed in the 2020/21 budget report.

c)   Invests £7.5 million into the Children’s Services improvement plan.

RECOMMENDED that Council;

1)     undertake a recorded vote in relation to the following items as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendments) Regulations 2014 which came into force on the 25 February 2014;

(a)      A net budget of £241.1 million, resulting in a total council tax requirement of £214.5 million, is set for 2021/22 based on the settlement figures published by government in December 2020. This is based upon:

                       i.      an increase in council tax in 2021/22 which means that the total BCP unitary charge will increase by 1.55% when applied to the average charge for 2020/21. Individual resident charges can be summarised as;

1.     Bournemouth’s council tax charge being an increase of 0.76% over that levied in 2020/21.

2.     Christchurch’s council tax charge being frozen compared to that levied in 2020/21.

3.     Poole’s council tax charge being an increase of 2.99% over that levied in 2020/21.

4.     These increases can be compared to the 4.99% maximum permitted increase for 2021/22 and recognises that the government continue to promote council tax increases via the social care precept as a funding mechanism for social care.

                      ii.       the key assumptions and provisions made in the budget as proposed, set out in paragraph 35 to 56;

                    iii.      the allocations to service areas in the budget as proposed and as set out in Appendix 2a;

                    iv.      the capital investment programme (CIP) as set out in paragraphs 93 to 154 and Appendix 4;

                      v.      the use and level of all reserves to be held by the council further to the advice of the chief finance officer as set out in paragraphs 155 to 173 and Appendix 3 to this report;

                    vi.      treasury management strategy (TMS) and prudential indicators as set out in paragraphs 174 to 183 and Appendix 5;

                   vii.       the chief officers’ pay policy statement for consideration and approval by the council in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 as set out in paragraphs 185 to 186 and Appendix 7;

(b)      approve a £7.2 million gross investment in the council’s corporate priorities (£6.2 million net) in 2021/22 which is an increase of £4.8 million compared to the 2020/21 budget;

(c)      approve the flexible use of capital receipts strategy to deliver significant resources towards the BCP Council transformation programme as set out in paragraphs 57 to 67;

(d)      approve the fundamental refinancing of the capital programme and the move to borrowing as a means of financing previously approved programmes of the council as discussed in paragraphs 150 to 154;

(e)      approve the establishment of a £50 million futures fund to support key infrastructure developments as set out in paragraph 97;

(f)             approve the investment of £10 million in special educational needs and disability (SEND) capital expenditure to support the Council in addressing the year on year deficits in the high needs block of the dedicated schools grant as set out in paragraph 110;

(g)      note that it has been agreed, due to unforeseen circumstances, that neither the Council nor Homes  ...  view the full decision text for item 297

The Leader presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was requested to consider the proposed 2021/22 budget and council tax for recommendation to Council and in relation to this was informed that the council is required to set an annual balanced budget presenting how its financial resources, both income and expenditure are to be allocated and utilised. Further to this Cabinet Cabinet was advised that in setting the budget for 2021/22 it is critical that councillors recognise their duty is to balance this budget in a manner which reflects not only their obligations to current taxpayers but also reflects their obligations to future tax payers.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the budget as presented;

a)  has been drafted on a base 1.55% increase in council tax for 2021/22 applied to the average BCP council tax for 2020/21 as permitted by Government under the Dorset local government review process.

b)  harmonises council tax at £1,541.57 from 1 April 2021 which is the amount assumed in the 2020/21 budget report.

c)   Invests £7.5 million into the Children’s Services improvement plan.

Thanks were expressed to the finance team and all those who had been involved in the work surrounding the report.

A number of Members spoke in support of the budget stressing the importance of providing an increased budget in the areas of Adults and Childrens services.

Councillor Farquhar addressed the Cabinet with regards to what progress had been made in terms of the proposed works at Pokesdown Station and welcoming the match funding allocation.

In relation to this the Leader advised that work was ongoing, and that there had been meetings between himself and the Chief Executive regarding this project, and that discussions had been had with the Local Enterprise Partnership. In addition the Leader advised that there had been multiple contacts with South Western Railway regarding this matter.

RECOMMENDED that Council;

1)     undertake a recorded vote in relation to the following items as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendments) Regulations 2014 which came into force on the 25 February 2014;

(a)      A net budget of £241.1 million, resulting in a total council tax requirement of £214.5 million, is set for 2021/22 based on the settlement figures published by government in December 2020. This is based upon:

                       i.      an increase in council tax in 2021/22 which means that the total BCP unitary charge will increase by 1.55% when applied to the average charge for 2020/21. Individual resident charges can be summarised as;

1.     Bournemouth’s council tax charge being an increase of 0.76% over that levied in 2020/21.

2.     Christchurch’s council tax charge being frozen compared to that levied in 2020/21.

3.     Poole’s council tax charge being an increase of 2.99% over that levied in 2020/21.

4.     These increases can be compared to the 4.99% maximum permitted increase for 2021/22 and recognises that the government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297