Agenda item

Report circulated under separate cover.

Councillor Pike, as Cabinet Lead for Finance and Regeneration, presented a report and recommendation to Cabinet setting out the proposed Revenue, Capital Budget and Business Plans 2019/20 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2023/24 for onward recommendation to Council.

Cabinet discussed the Regeneration Team and was advised that the success of this team would be measured in the successful delivery of projects.  Cabinet felt that the new Inward Investment Officer post would be a valuable addition to the Council.

Councillor Crellin, as a representative of the Governance, Audit and Finance Board, was invited to join the meeting and presented a report and recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board.

Cabinet thanked officers and the Cabinet Lead for their work, which it believed had resulted in a sound budget which would bring a mix of social and regeneration benefits to the Borough.

In respect of the recommendations from the Governance, Audit and Finance Board, Cabinet debated the future approach to Serving You.

Cllr Pike proposed that recommendation b) be amended to include the words ‘subject to a business case being brought to Cabinet to consider proposals to reduce the number of issues of Serving You.’

This amendment was duly seconded by the Leader.

Following a vote it was unanimously RESOLVED that Cabinet recommends that Council:

a)    Approves the proposed Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2019/20 including a Council Tax rate of £204.47 at Band D, representing a 2.99% increase on the current charge;

b)    Approves the budget savings and growth proposals set out in Section 5 of the report, subject to a business case being brought to Cabinet to consider proposals to reduce the number of issues of Serving You;

c)    Agrees the Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators;

d)    Agrees the Corporate Strategy and Business Plans 2019-20; and

e)    Agrees the proposed fees and charges increases set out in Appendix I.