Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget and the setting of a Council Tax for the 2017/18 financial year.

Members received the report on the recommendations from the Executive at its

meetings on 6 February and 20 February 2017 in relation to the draft General Fund

Revenue Budget for 2017/2018.  The report highlighted that consultation had taken place with representatives from the Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee trade unions and business ratepayers on 10 February along with a range of targeted focus groups and partners throughout the autumn.

Members firstly considered the proposed budget saving of £500,000 in relation to income from Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited and £63,000 in relation to reduced bus route subsidies.

Motion 1:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘To approve the income of £500,000 from Blackpool Coastal Housing Limited as set out in recommendation 2b, Appendix 6(c) and the savings as a result of the reduced bus route subsidies in the sum of £63,000 as set out in recommendation 2b, Appendix 6(c) of the report to the Executive on 20 February 2017.’

Recorded vote: The Council noted that under the Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there was a requirement for a recorded vote on setting the Council tax and budget. The voting was as follows:

For the motion: Councillors Blackburn, Cain, Campbell, I Coleman, Collett, Cross, Hobson, Hunter, Jackson, Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, Owen, Ryan, Smith, I Taylor, L Williams - Total 17.

Against the motion: Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, Cox, Mrs

Henderson, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, T Williams – Total 10.

Abstentions:  Councillor Mrs Rowson – Total 1.

Motion 1 carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

Note: Having declared relevant interests Councillors Benson, D Coleman, G Coleman, Critchley, Elmes, Galley, Hutton, O’Hara, Stansfield, L Taylor and Mrs Wright left the meeting during consideration of the above part of the item.

Motion 2:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘To approve the following proposed remaining recommendations, bringing together the recommendations from the Executive meetings on 6 February 2017 and

20 February 2017 into a summary document, set out in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

1.             To agree the level of net expenditure for the General Fund Revenue Budget 2017/2018 of £120,248,000 (ref. Paragraph 6.2 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017).

2.             To approve a level of budget savings of £18.7m (reference paragraph 7.1 and 7.2 and Appendix 2 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017), with the exception of the following:

2.1.       Remove the saving of £250,000 identified at line B4.2, which proposed the introduction of a charge for concessionary fares on the tramway.

2.2.       Remove the saving of £26,000 contained within line B5.3 in relation to ending community based stroke service funding.

2.3.       Increase the saving at line B5.8 (Residual target to be allocated to services) by £276,000.

3.             To agree that the Chief Executive be authorised to take any necessary steps to ensure all staffing savings are achieved (ref. paragraph 8.1 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017).

4.             Subject to 3. above, to rescind the decision of Council on 8 July 2015, which established the principle of appointing Political Assistants within the framework of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, thereby disestablishing the posts allocated to the Labour and Conservative groups, which contributes to the savings outlined in line B5.8 (Residual target to services).

5.             To agree that the Business Loans Fund is increased from £10m to £100m with immediate effect (ref. paragraph 8.3 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017).

6.             To agree that the target level of working balances remains at £6m (ref. paragraph 10.4 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017).

7.             To recommend a detailed review of earmarked reserves takes place at Provisional Outturn 2016/ 2017 to reprioritise and unearmark funds to replenish working balances to their target level in 2017/ 2018 (ref. paragraph 10.4 of the report to the Executive on 6 February 2017).

8.             To note the comments of the meeting of the Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee with the Trade Unions and Business Ratepayers, as reported to the Executive on 22 February 2016 and the responses given.

9.             To note the report of the Budget Scrutiny Panel and the responses of the Executive (ref Appendix 3 of the report to the Executive 6 February 2017).

10.         To adopt the formal Council Tax Resolutions set out at Appendix 6 (c) (Annex 1), in so doing agree a Council Tax Requirement of £50,845,100 and a Council Tax Base of 35,662.

11.         To note the calculation of Aggregate Amounts as directed by Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out at Appendix 6 (c) (Annex1 and 2).

12.         To approve a level of Council Tax for the financial year 2017/2018 of £1,425.75 at valuation Band D equivalent (a 4.99% increase including the 3% Adult Social Care Precept, but excluding the precepts for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority).

13.         To note that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire’s precept for the financial year 2017/2018 is £165.45 (a 1.99% increase) for a Band D Tax equivalent and the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority precept for the financial year 2017/ 2018 is £65.50 for a Band D Tax equivalent (no increase).

14.         To confirm that the aggregate levels of Council Tax for Valuation Bands A to H will be as follows:’

Recorded vote: The Council noted that under the Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there was a requirement for a recorded vote on setting the Council tax and budget. The voting was as follows:

For the motion: Councillors Benson, Blackburn, Cain, Campbell, D Coleman, G Coleman, I Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Cross, Elmes, Hobson, Hunter, Hutton, Jackson, Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Ryan, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, Williams, Mrs Wright - Total 26.

Against the motion: Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, Cox, Galley, Mrs

Henderson, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Stansfield, T Williams – Total 12.

Abstentions: Councillor Mrs Rowson – Total 1.

Motion 2 carried: The motion was therefore carried.