Issue - meetings

The Budget Book (green cover) accompanies the Council agenda and

reflects the recommendations to be considered at the meeting of the

Cabinet on 22 February 2017.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet on the detailed Revenue Budget for 2017-18 and the proposed Council Tax for 2017-18. The Mayor referred councillors to the Budget Book (green cover) and the updated report circulated in the supplementary Council agenda, reflecting the decisions and recommendations made by the Cabinet on 22 February 2017, including the precepts being levied by Surrey County Council and the Surrey Police.

The Mayor asked the Council to agree, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4, that the respective Budget speeches of the Group Leaders may each exceed 10 minutes in length if necessary.

Resolved toagree that the respective Budget speeches of the Group Leaders may each exceed 10 minutes in length if necessary.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and the portfolio holder for Finance, Councillor H. R. Williams, made a joint statement on the Budget and the Council Tax and moved and seconded the recommendations on the detailed Budget for 2017-18 as set out in the report circulated in the supplementary Council agenda. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor I.J. Beardsmore, then made a statement.

Although the formation of the UKIP party had not been formally notified to the Chief Executive prior to the meeting, the Mayor used his discretion to allow the Leader of UKIP, Councillor D. Saliagopoulos to make a statement on the Budget.

In response to a query from Councillor K. Flurry about the amount of write-offs agreed in 2016-2017, Councillor H. Williams agreed to provide a written response.

Copies of Councillor Harvey’s and Councillor Beardsmore’s speeches are attached to these minutes as Appendices A and B.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10pm to allow councillors and officers a five minute comfort break.

Upon reconvening, and as the Council was close to having sat for three hours, it was moved, seconded and agreed to suspend Standing Orders and continue with the remaining items of business on the agenda.

At the conclusion of the debate on the Revenue Budget, the Mayor explained that it was a legal requirement to record in the minutes of the proceedings the names of the persons who cast a vote for the decision or who abstained from voting.

The voting was as follows:

Resolved that:

1. the growth and savings items as set out in the report’s appendices be approved;
2. the Council tax base for the whole council area for 2017-18.[Item T in the formula in Section 31b(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 325

Councillor Williams

To consider the report on the detailed Revenue Budget for 2017-18 and make a recommendation to Council.

Cabinet considered an updated report on the detailed revenue budget 2017-2018. The budget showed a very positive picture in that for the first time in a decade a balanced budget had been put forward without the use of reserves, with investment being made in retaining staff, addressing resourcing issues and maintaining the Council’s assets.

Resolved to recommend Council that:

1. the growth and savings items as set out in the report’s appendices be approved;
2. the Council tax base for the whole council area for 2017-18.[Item T in the formula in Section 31b(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “act”)] should be 38.908.60 band D equivalent dwellings and the Council tax requirement for the Council’s own purpose for 2017-2018 is £192.44 Per Band D equivalent dwelling;
3. a 2.7 % or (£5) increase in the Spelthorne Borough Council element of the Council tax for 2017-18 be approved. Moreover:

a)    the revenue estimates as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

b)    no Money, as set out in this report is appropriated from General Reserves in support of Spelthorne’s local Council tax for 2017/18.

c)    the council tax base for the year 2017/18 is 38,908.60  band D equivalent dwellings calculated in accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council tax base) Regulations 1992, as amended, made under Section 35(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be agreed;

That the following sums be now calculated by the Council for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Section 31 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992.

That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2337