The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance,
which outlined a recommendation to Council in respect of the Budget, Capital
Programme and Council Tax for 2020/21.
It was noted that at the time of
writing, the Cheshire Fire Authority and the Cheshire Police and Crime
Commissioner had not set their budget and Council Tax precept. However, final
figures would be reported to Council when the information was available.
The Board was advised that the
Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), approved at its meeting on 14 November
2019, had identified funding gaps of around £7.9m in 2020/21, £15.1m in 2021/22
and £4.4m in 2022/23. The Strategy had the following objectives:
·
Deliver a balanced and sustainable budget;
·
Prioritise spending towards the Council’s
priority areas;
·
Avoid excessive Council Tax rises;
·
Achieve significant cashable efficiency gains;
·
Protect essential front line services and
vulnerable members of the community; and
·
Deliver improved procurement.
In terms of consultation, it was noted that the Council used various
methods to listen to the views of the public, and Members’ own experiences
through their Ward work was an important part of that process. Individual
consultations had taken place in respect of specific budget proposals and
equality impact assessments would be completed where necessary.
Appendix B outlined proposed budget savings for 2020/21, totalling
£4.230m. The departmental analysis was shown in Appendix C and the major reasons for change from the
current budget were shown in Appendix D.
The Board was advised the final Local Government Finance Settlement
figures were awaited, along with confirmation on some 2020/21 grant allocations
including the Public Health grant. It was confirmed that the Council would
continue to participate in the pilot of the 100% Business Rates Retention
Scheme, as part of the Liverpool City Region (LCR).
Further information was provided on the budget outlook, Halton’s Council Tax, Precepts for Parishes, Police, Fire
and Liverpool City Region Mayor, the Capital Programme, Prudential Code and
School Budgets.
Reason(s) for
Decision
To seek approval
for the Council’s Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax for
2020/21.
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected
In arriving at the
budget saving proposals set out in Appendix B, numerous proposals had been
considered, some of which had been deferred pending further information, or
rejected.
Implementation
Date
4 March 2020.
RESOLVED: That
1) Council
be recommended to adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A attached to the
report, which includes setting the budget at £115,770m, the Council Tax
requirement of £52.179m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority
precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of
£1,475.70;
2) Council
be recommended to approve the revenue budget proposals for 2020/21 set out in
Appendix B and Capital Programme set out in Appendix F, both attached to the
report; and
3) from 1
April 2020 the level of Empty Homes Premium on dwellings that have been
unoccupied for between 2 and 5 years remain at 100%. The level of Premium on
dwellings unoccupied for more than 5 years be increased to 200%.