Agenda item

To consider the Budget recommendations from Cabinet.

 

Appendix 2 will be published as a supplement to this agenda as soon as it becomes available.  

 

The Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy Portfolio Holder presented the Budget strategy and medium-term financial plan (MTFP).

A copy of his speech is attached at appendix 3 to these minutes.

 

The Chairman invited the Group Leaders to present their replies to the budget proposals.

 

Cllrs Ireland, Sutton and Hughes presented their budget speeches which are attached at appendix 4 to these minutes.

 

The Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy Portfolio Holder responded to the comments from the Group Leaders.

 

Cllr B Heatley proposed, Cllr C Sutton seconded the following amendment.

 

“To remove from the budget reliance on savings from the Our Future Council programme of £8.1m, and to replace this with £8.1m funding from reserves.

 

Motion

 

In the Revenue Budget summarised in Appendix 1 in the Addendum, amend the line entitled General Funding under Central Finance by replacing the single line.

 

General funding

5473

(167)

(697)

(32516)

(8122)

(36030)

 

by the two lines.

 

General funding	5473	(167)	(697)	(32516)	0	(27908)
Movement to and from reserves	0	0	0	0	(8122)	(8122)

 

 and make any consequential amendments required to the other tables in Appendix 1.”

 

The Leader responded to the amendment attached as appendix 5.

 

Members debated the amendment as proposed, comments included:

 

Concerns that it was unknown how the 8.1m savings would be made, however it was standard for there to be assumed savings within all the budgets.  Additionally, since Dorset Council was formed savings had been made historically, each year through efficiencies. 

 

In accordance with procedure rule 19.6 a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those who voted in favour of the amendment: Cllrs: B Bawden, A Brenton, A Canning, K Clayton, T Cook, R Crabb, D Gray, B Heatley, R Holloway, R Hope, R Hughes, P Kimber, H Legg, R Legg, D Morgan, J Orrell, M Rennie, A Starr, C Sutton, R Tarr, D Tooke and K Wheller.

 

 

 

Those who voted against the amendment: Cllrs: R Adkins, A Alford, J Andrews, M Barron, S Bartlett, P Batstone, L Beddow, D Beer, R Biggs, D Bolwell, C Brooks, R Bryan, T Coombs, S Cristopher, J Dunseith, S Flower, S Gibson, P Harrison, J Haynes, N Ireland, S Jespersen, S Jones, C Jones, A Kerby, N Lacey-Clarke, C Lugg, L O’Leary, E Parker, M Parkes, A Parry, M Penfold, B Pipe, V Pothecary, B Quale, B Ridout, M Roberts, D Shortell, J Somper, G Suttle D Taylor, W Trite, D Walsh, J Worth, and S Williams.

 

Those who abstained: Cllr B Goringe.

 

Following a recorded vote, 22 for,44 against and 1 abstention the amendment was LOST.

 

Members debated the original proposal and the Leader summed up prior to going to the vote.  Attached at appendix 6.

 

Proposed by Cllr G Suttle, seconded by Cllr S Flower

 

In accordance with procedure rule 19.6 a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those who voted in favour of the recommendations: Cllrs: R Adkins, A Alford, J Andrews, M Barron, S Bartlett, P Batstone, B Bawden, L Beddow, D Beer, A Brenton, C Brooks, R Bryan, S Christopher, T Cook, T Coombs,

R Crabb, J Dunseith, S Flower, S Gibson, B Gorringe, P Harrison, J Haynes, B Heatley, R Hughes, S Jespersen, S Jones, C Jones, A Kerby, N Lacey-Clarke, C Lugg, D Morgan, L O’Leary, E Parker, M Parkes,  A Parry, M Penfold, B Pipe, V Pothecary, B Quale, B Ridout, M Roberts, D Shortell, J Somper, A Starr, G Suttle, C Sutton, D Taylor, W Trite, D Walsh, K Wheller and J Worth.

 

Those who voted against the recommendations: Cllrs: R Biggs, D Bolwell, A Canning, K Clayton, D Gray, R Holloway, R Hope, N Ireland, P Kimber, H Legg, R Legg, J Orrell, M Rennie, R Tarr, D Tooke, and S Williams.

 

Following a recorded vote, 51 for,16 against and 0 abstentions the budget was approved.

 

Resolved:

 

(a) That the revenue budget summarised in Appendix 1, was agreed.

 

(b) That the increase in general Council Tax of 2.9985% and 1.9975% in the Social Care Precept, providing a Band D Council Tax figure for Dorset Council of £2,001.15; an overall increase of 4.996%, was agreed.

 

(c) That the Council Tax base agreed by the Section 151 Officer earlier in this budget setting process as shown in appendix 2, was agreed.

 

(d) That the change to the current scheme of Local Council Tax Support as set out in the report to Cabinet of 30 January, reflecting the decision previously made at full Council on 14 December 2023, was agreed.

 

(e) That the Capital Strategy, set out at Appendix 3, and the 2024/25 – 2027/28 programme in section 23 of the report to Cabinet of 30 January 2024 was agreed.

 

(f) That the treasury management strategy as set out in Appendix 4 was agreed.

 

(g) That the assumptions used to develop the Budget Strategy and Medium[1]Term Financial Plan (MTFP), as set out throughout this report was agreed.

 

(h) That the recommended balances on earmarked reserves and on general funds, including the minimum level of the general fund, was agreed.

 

(i) That the responses to the recommendations and comments made as part of the budget scrutiny process, was agreed (Appendix 6).

 

(j) That the recommendations 1-5 from the 22 November 2023 Harbours Advisory Committee meeting regarding fees and charges, budgets, and asset management plans, as set out at Appendix 7, was agreed.

 

(k) That the flexible use of additional £1.5m of capital receipts for the purposes of transforming the Council’s housing services, as set out at Appendix 8, was agreed.

 

(l) That the Fees and Charges for the Council for 2024/25, at Appendix 9, was agreed.

 

 

 

Comfort Break 20:27 – 20:37

 

 

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