Decision details

The Executive resolved as follows:

1.      To recommend to Council the level of net expenditure for the draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 of £176,218,000 (ref. paragraph 9.2 and Appendix 5a, to the Executive report)

2.      To recommend to Council a level of budget savings of £23.4m (ref. paragraphs 10.1 and 10.3 and Appendix 5b, to the Executive report) incorporating a Council Tax increase of 4.99% made up of 2.99% plus a 2% Adult Social Care precept. To amend the budget savings from those shown at Appendix 5b to reflect that the amount of £21,000 shown under Governance and Partnerships Directorate, Democratic use of reserves is now recommended to be met from Ward Budgets with each of the 42 Councillors’ budget being reduced by £500 to total £21,000.

3.      To note that the precepts for Police and Fire will be reported to Full Council on 22 February 2023 as the rates are not agreed until 15 February 2023 and 21 February 2023 respectively.

4.      To recommend to Council that the Chief Executive be authorised to take any necessary steps to ensure any staffing savings are achieved (ref. paragraph 11.1).

5.      To recommend to Council the proposed use of the Dedicated Schools Grant Budget for 2023/24 (ref. paragraph 7.8 and Appendix 5c, to the Executive report).

6.      To recommend to Council the allocation of schools funding for 2023/24 (ref. paragraph 7.8 and Appendix 5c, to the Executive report).

7.      To recommend to Council a target level of working balances of £6m by 31 March 2024 rising to £8m by 31 March 2025 (ref. paragraph 13.6 and Appendix 5g, to the Executive report).

8.      To recommend to Council that due regard is given to the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves in the budget proposals for 2023/24 (ref. section 13 and Appendix 5g, to the Executive report).