Agenda item

The report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership presented the report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services that outlined the Council’s Budget for 2017/18.  The Leader noted the projects that had successfully been completed in the last financial year including the refurbishment and re-opening of Bridgford Hall, which was now producing £120,000 of income annually and the implementation of 15 employment units in Cotgrave that would provide £100,000 income annually. The Leader advised that the future presented several challenges and uncertainties to be dealt with such as Brexit, the reduction in government funding, the lack of clarity with regard of small business rate relief and the closure of Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station in 2025.

The Leader advised that it was critical that the Council had, and maintained the resources to protect itself in case of unforeseen events and was pleased to report that the Council currently had £3.25 million in reserves. He was also pleased to report that the Council’s financial gap had reduced from £1 million to £0.29 million and that the Council was on track to becoming self-sufficient.   The Leader advised that Rushcliffe had been given the highest new housing target in Nottinghamshire outside of the City. He hoped however, that the successful housing infrastructure grant of £9.9m  that had been received from a central government to fund a new main road through the recently approved Fairham Pastures development could potentially accelerate the delivery of its proposed 3,000 homes, subject to financial negotiations. It was also noted that if approved by Council, long term empty homes would receive a premium rate of 200% of standard council tax.

The Leader advised that that the new Capital Programme would enable the development of sites at Chapel Lane Bingham, Abbey Road West Bridgford and the refurbishment of Bingham Leisure Centre. It was also noted that the tree protection and promotion project, and the skate park improvement fund would provide positive benefits for the communities of Rushcliffe. The Leader advised that despite the report recommending an increase in Council Tax, he was pleased to report that the increase would still place the Council lowest within the County and in the lowest quartile nationwide for its level of Council Tax.

In seconding the recommendations, Councillor Moore thanked all Councillors for their attendance and input at the budget consultation workshops and hoped that they could see the ideas that they put forward reflected in the proposed Budget. Councillor Moore also thanked the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services and the Council’s Finance Team for their efforts over the last few months to deliver a balanced budget for the Council.

Councillor MacInnes noted that this was the most demanding and challenging Budget that the Council had had to deliver. However, he felt confident that the Council was entering the new financial year in a strong financial position mainly due to the creation of new income streams, enabling the Council to strengthen its reserves whilst continuing to deliver a healthy Capital Programme and quality services to residents. Councillor MacInnes asked Councillor Robinson to confirm if the Council would be honouring the 2% pay increase for Council staff this year.

Councillor Davidson noted the benefits of all Councillors working together at the budget consultation workshops resulting in this Council being in a much stronger financial position than many others.

Councillor R Mallender also commented on the productive nature of the budget consultation workshops whilst Councillor Jones congratulated officers on gaining additional funding  to help the Council deliver its objectives in terms of the growth agenda. He also welcomed the increase to the homelessness fund, disabled facilities grants and that progress appeared to be being made on relocating the Council’s depot from Abbey Road.

The Leader responded to Councillor MacInnes’ direct question to confirm that the Council would be honouring the national pay deal for officers.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken for this item as follows:-

FOR: Councillors R A Adair, K P Beardsall, B R Buschman, R L Butler, H A Chewings, J N Clarke, T Combellack, J E Cottee, L B Cooper, G Davidson, J Donoghue, M J Edwards, A J Edyvean, J E Greenwood, S J Hull, R A Inglis, Mrs C E M Jeffreys, R M Jones, N C Lawrence, E J Lungley, A MacInnes, Mrs M M Males, G R Mallender, S C Matthews, G S Moore, A Phillips, E A Plant, F A Purdue-Horan, S J Robinson, J A Stockwood, Mrs M Stockwood, J E Thurman, R G Upton, D G Wheeler, J G A Wheeler

AGAINST: None

ABSTENTION: None

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the report of the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer on the robustness of the Council’s budget and the adequacy of  its reserves be noted.

b)    the Budget setting report and associated financial strategies for 2018/19 to 2022/23, including the Transformation Strategy and the Efficiency Statement to deliver efficiencies over the five year period, be adopted.

c)     the Capital Programme be adopted.

d)    the Capital and Investment Strategy and associated prudential indicators be approved and adopted.

e)    Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Council Tax for 2018/19, for a Band D property, be set at £132.84.

f)      the Special Expenses for West Bridgford, Ruddington and Keyworth, be set resulting in the following Band D Council Tax levels for the Special Expense areas of:

                           i.          West Bridgford £48.51

                          ii.          Keyworth £1.46

                        iii.          Ruddington £3.40

g)    with regards to e) and f) above that the associated Council Tax Bands be set in accordance with the formula in section 36(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

h)    the 2018/19 Pay Policy be adopted.