Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

In the absence of the Cabinet Member Finance the Leader introduced the report which summarised the revised budget for 2014/15 and the Cabinet’s final budget proposals and pay policy statement for 2015/16.

The Leader added that further changes had been made since the draft proposals were agreed in December. These included :

·         £50 000 allocation for the purposes of demolishing the existing concrete bus shelter and waiting room and provision of services to supply new café facility

·         Additional budget to improve the control of urban gulls

·         £100 k allocation to the Local Plan which would be brought alongside the JCS

·         £50 000 allocation to the Community Pride Fund

·         3 year contract with Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre

·         Freeze Lifeline charges for 2015/16

The Leader highlighted that the buoyant local economy had resulted in increased revenue of £340k over and above the anticipated level from the devolved business rates pooling scheme.

In terms of the general position, he reiterated that a Council tax freeze was proposed for the 5^th consecutive year, as were parking charges and front line services would be protected. He paid tribute to the huge amount of work officers across the Council had undertaken to achieve this.

In summing up the Leader believed this was a very positive package, enhanced by the consultation. Responses to the consultation on the capital programme had been high and feedback had been welcomed. A report on this would come forward for consideration in due course.

RESOLVED THAT it be recommended to Council that :

1.    The revised budget for 2014/15 be noted and the one-off contribution from general balances of £178,250 as detailed in Section 3.2 be approved.

Having considered the budget assessment by the Section 151 Officer at Appendix 2 the following recommendations be agreed :

1.    the final budget proposals including a proposed council tax for the services provided by Cheltenham Borough Council of £187.12 for the year 2015/16 (a 0% increase based on a Band D property) be approved.

2.    the growth proposals, including one off initiatives at Appendix 4 be approved.

3.    the savings / additional income and the budget strategy at Appendix 5 be approved.

4.    the use of reserves and general balances be approved and the projected level of reserves, as detailed at Appendix 6 be noted.

5.    the proposed capital programme at Appendix 7, as outlined in Section 10 be approved, including the additional underwriting of £90,000 to support the Art Gallery and Museum redevelopment scheme.

6.    the Pay Policy Statement for 2015/16, including the continued payment of a living wage supplement at Appendix 8 be approved.

7.    a level of supplementary estimate of £100,000 for 2015/16 as outlined in Section 15 be approved.

8.    there be no change to the Local Council Tax support scheme in 2015/16 (para 4.19).

9.    it be noted that the Council will remain in the Gloucestershire business rates pool for 2015/16 (para 4.9).