Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Carpenter and  John Smith.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The Cabinet to consider report CAB5 by the Finance Portfolio holder on the budgetary proposals for revenue 2006/07 and capital for 2006/07 to 2008/2009.                                                                   (attached)

DECISION:

(1)    To recommend to Council a Council Tax increase of 4.82% for 2006/07 and an overall average increase of 4.9% which including Parishes and Special Expense Areas;

(2)    To recommend the Budget for 2006/07 to the Council at its meeting on 2^nd March 2006, including the General Fund Revenue Account, the Housing Revenue Account and the Capital Programme and Capital Financing Report;

(3)    To explain any amendments and addendums from the papers, attached to report CAB5, and to add the required resolutions for major precepting authorities at the Council meeting on 2^nd March 2006;

(4)    To recommend that all service plans are approved and published on the Council’s intranet to underpin the budget sheets;

(5)    To approve the use of reserves as detailed in report CAB5;

(6)    To recommend that work be done during the year to establish a maximum subsidy per Council Taxpayer across the district for the operation of the Arts Centres so that it could be considered for budget inclusion next year;

(7)    To recommend that the Council re-scores the Financial Services function to a category B priority and amends Council Tax collection to a category Y service.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

(1)  Report number CAB5 and accompanying enclosures submitted by  the Assets & Resources Portfolio holder, Councillor Bryant covering:

§         Background to Budget Development

§         Local Government Settlement 2006/07

§         Government Guidance on Council Tax increases 2006/07

§         External Financing

§         Overall Budget Requirement

§         Integration of Service Planning and Budgets

§         Investments, Savings and Efficiencies

§         Capital Programme and Financing

§         Reserves

§         Budget Consultation

§         Financial Services – Impact of Use of Resources

§         Recommendations

(2)     Noting that the integration of service planning with the Budget coupled with the roll out of a new focused financial management process will help ensure excellent services can be delivered efficiently and effectively;

(3)     South Kesteven received relatively the second lowest external funding support in Lincolnshire.  This puts pressure on the Council in delivering quality services without receiving the additional resources other Councils get;

(4)     Noting feedback resulting from different ways of consulting the community on the budget proposals.  All members had been given an unfettered opportunity to be involved in the process;

(5)     The level of the capital programme at over £8m depicts the investment being directly made into the Council’s priority services;

(6)     Statement from the Director of Finance and Strategic Resources (Responsible Financial Officer) that the budget for 2006/07 as presented is robust in its formulation and the level of reserves adequate for the organisation.  The proposed increase in council tax of 4.9% at Band D is in line with the government target;

(7)     Noting an oral update from the Director of Finance and Strategic Resources that the authority has been awarded a special grant of  £273,000 from the Local Authority Business Growth Initiative, payable on 23^rd February 2006;

(8)     The Cabinet considers that the re-classification of Financial Services is necessary having regard to the service underpinning the provision of other services and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.