Issue - meetings

To consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2021-22

To consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2021-22

Councillor Hargreaves presented the report on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget proposals for 2021/22. He began by thanking the Director – Resources and Finance and the Assistant Director – Resources for their excellent work during an extremely challenging year. He summarised the appendices that made up the budgetary reports and highlighted areas of note throughout the documents. He proposed the recommendations as set out in the report..

Councillor Coote seconded the proposals.

In response to a point of order raised by Councillor Criscione, the Chair said the debate would focus on the budgetary papers as a whole, including the Council Tax resolution, although a separate recorded vote would be taken on this resolution.

In response to a question from Councillor Sell regarding the rise in employee charges, the Director – Finance and Resources said the rise in charges related to the future investment in the Planning Department, the Little Canfield business park project and the yet unconfirmed 2% pay rise that would depend on a central Government decision.

In response to a question from Councillor Sell regarding the Carver Barracks running track, the Director – Finance and Resources said a report would be considered at Cabinet in March that detailed the progress of works on the running track, with a completion date due in September.

In response to a question from Councillor Sell in relation to Government funding for the upcoming elections, the Chief Executive confirmed that £15 million for the local elections and £16 million for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections had been made available to local authorities to ensure these elections were Covid-19 safe.

Councillor Criscione said the Conservative Group could not support this budget as he did not agree with the council tax rise in a time of economic hardship. Taxes should remain low to ensure more money stayed in individuals pockets. He asked why investments had not been located in the District and questioned why the Council was asking for further money from its residents, and highlighted the County Council’s decision to freeze council tax for another year. He requested that Members reject the budget regardless of party allegiance.   

Councillor Khan asked how much of the Climate Change budget had been spent and where; how much money had been generated by the Council’s portfolio of investments in the past financial year; and how would the budget be communicated to residents following tonight’s meeting.

Councillor Pepper said that no money had been spent from the Climate Change budget. An independent person would be brought in to advise on how best to spend the budget over the next three years.

Councillor Hargreaves said the message would be communicated by council tax bills. He said he would circulate details on the net income generated by the investments outside of the meeting.

Councillor Barker said there had been a mistake in the papers; those paying Band D would in fact pay £10 more a year, not £5. She could not support a budget that raised taxes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10