Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors Frank De Molfetta, Mike Goulthorp, Andrea Kay, Jayne Rear, and Alan Whittaker.

County Councillors Sobia Malik and Yousuf Motala joined the meeting virtually.

Announcements

Deaths

The Chairman reported the recent deaths of former County Councillor John Cavanagh, who sadly passed away on 25 January 2024, former County Councillor Nikki Penney, who sadly passed away on 4 February 2024, and former County Councillor Harry Caunce, who sadly passed away on 29 January 2024.

The Council observed a one-minute silence.

County Councillor Lian Pate declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 3 - 2024/25 Budget Report, as her partner was an employee of the county council.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Leader of the County Council, moved the recommendations of the Cabinet regarding:

-  The revenue budget 2024/25;

-  The council tax and precept 2024/25;

-  The policy savings;

-  The capital programme 2024/25;

-  The capital strategy; and

-  The exceptions to the agreed uplift policy for fees and charges.

Together with the recommendations of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee from its meeting on 29 January 2024 regarding:

-  The Treasury Management Strategy, the Investment Strategy, and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2024/25.

And with the recommendations of the Employment Committee from its meeting on 25 January 2024 regarding:

-  The Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 (The Localism Act 2011).

The motion was seconded by County Councillor Alan Vincent, Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property (Deputy Leader).

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson then made his Budget speech and moved an Amendment to the Budget proposals, on behalf of the Labour Group, which was seconded by County Councillor Noordad Aziz.

A copy of the Amendment was circulated to all Members and is set out at Annex 1 to these minutes.

Following a period of debate, a recorded vote on the Amendment was taken in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order B45(7). The names of those Members who voted for or against the Amendment, and those who abstained, are set out below.

For (32)

Against (42)

Abstain (0)

The Labour Group's Amendment was therefore LOST.

After an Adjournment, County Councillor John Potter then made his Budget speech and moved an Amendment to the Budget proposals on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, which was seconded by County Councillor David Howarth.

A copy of the Amendment was circulated to all Members and is set out at Annex 2 to these minutes.

Following a period of debate, a recorded vote on the Amendment was taken in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order B45(7). The names of Members who voted for or against the Amendment, and those who abstained, are set out below.

For (31)

Against (41)

Abstain (0)

The Liberal Democrat Group's  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Annex 1

BUDGET COUNCIL: 23 FEBRUARY 2024

AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LABOUR GROUP TO THE 2024/25 BUDGET

(1)  Proposed amendments to the revenue budget

The additions to the revenue budget form a contribution to the transitional reserve in 2024/25, with the recurrent impact (a cost of £0.397m) reflected from 2025/26 in the medium-term financial strategy.

(2)  Proposed additions to the capital programme

The additions to the capital programme are all to be funded from the transitional reserve.

View of the Executive Director of Resources (S151)

The proposals have been validated as being deliverable financially in 2024/25.

In validating the proposals, I have been mindful that:

• The proposed amendments to the revenue budget in 2024/25 of £0.965m, if agreed, would result in the removal of the £0.856m revenue funding gap and a small contribution of £0.109m being made to the transitional reserve. The recurrent impact of the proposals from 2025/26 is an additional cost of £0.397m and would be built into the medium-term financial strategy, resulting in a gap in 2025/26 of £10.885m and in 2026/27 a gap of £3.748m.

• The funding to support the capital programme can be met from the transitional reserve, as a one-off contribution of £35m.

The transitional reserve is currently forecast to be £165.198m at 31^st March 2024. The transitional reserve is sufficient to support the structural deficit for 2024/25 – 2026/27 with a revised forecast level of £123.002m at 31^st March 2027.

In the intervening period the council will need to take steps to address the structural deficit to ensure it can maintain a sustainable financial position.

Annex 2

BUDGET COUNCIL: 23 FEBRUARY 2024

AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP TO THE 2024/25 BUDGET

Proposed amendments to the revenue budget

  £m

Youth worker provision - 6 additional permanent youth    0.297

workers and a 7th senior youth worker

Parking enforcement - 12 street enforcement officers    0.357

(1 in every district)

Tree Planting (£2,500 per division)  0.210

Total cost of proposed amendments:  0.864

The additions to the revenue budget to be funded from the Transitional Reserve.

Proposed amendments to the capital programme

  £m

Reduce the intervention level by half for works to be

undertaken on potholes from 40mm to 20mm  4.500*   

Total cost of proposed amendments:  4.500

*Recurrent adjustment

The additions to the capital programme are all to be funded from the transitional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.