To set out proposal for balancing the 2018-19 budget and Council Tax.

The Brief holder for Finance and Assets presented the 2018/19 Budget Report and thanked the Chair of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee for thoroughly scrutinising the budget prior to submission to Full Council.

The Brief holder for Transport and Infrastructure requested that the recommendations were taken individually when the vote was taken.

Council felt that the Budget was thoughtful and measured but some members voiced their disappointed regarding the 2% increase in WPBC’s Council Tax.  It was highlighted that lack of government funding placed the responsibility on hard working people to pay more.  Officers were congratulated and commended for balancing the budget.  It was noted that some savings were being made by keeping vacancies open and It was felt that the Council should be working with all agencies to help young people in the Borough.  It was suggested that previous under-spends should be used to maintain the assets that would be retained for Weymouth and Portland.

It was proposed by Cllr Cant, seconded by Cllr Kosior and that the recommendations be voted on separately.

In accordance with procedural rule 17 a recorded vote was taken.

The Council voted on recommendation a)

Those who voted in favour: Cllrs K Brookes, H Bruce, I Bruce, M Byatt, J Cant, F Drake, J Ellis, J Farquharson, T Ferrari, K Garcia, R Hope, C James, O Kanji, R Kosior, P Nixon, J Osborne, C Page-Nash, A Reed, G Taylor.

Those who voted against; Cllrs A Blackwood, L Hamilton, C Huckle, P Kimber, P McCartney, R Nowak, G Rockingham, T Roos, M Tewkesbury, K Wheller.

Those who abstained; Cllr J Orrell.

Decision:

That the proposals for balancing the 2018/19 revenue budget set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

The Council voted on recommendation b)

Those who voted in favour:  Cllrs A Blackwood, K Brookes, H Bruce, I Bruce, M Byatt, J Cant, F Drake, J Ellis, J Farquharson, T Ferrari, K Garcia, L Hamilton, R Hope, C Huckle, C James O Kanji, P Kimber, R Kosior,

P McCartney, P Nixon, R Nowak, J Orrell, J Osborne, C Page-Nash, A Reed, G Rockingham, T Roos, G Taylor, M Tewkesbury, K Wheller.

Decision:

That the 2018/19 Capital Programme and Projects set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

The Council voted on recommendation c)

Those who voted in favour: Cllrs K Brookes, Cllr H Bruce, Cllr I Bruce, Cllr M Byatt, Cllr J Cant, Cllr F Drake, Cllr J Ellis, Cllr J Farquharson, Cllr T Ferrari, Cllr K Garcia, Cllr L Hamilton, Cllr R Hope, Cllr C James, Cllr O Kanji, Cllr R Kosior, P Nixon, J Osborne, C Page-Nash, A Reed,  G Taylor.

Those who voted against: Cllr A Blackwood C Huckle, P Kimber, P McCartney, R Nowak, J Orrell, G Rockingham, T Roos, M Tewkesbury, K Wheller.

Decision:

That the council tax charge for Weymouth & Portland Borough Council be increased by 2% per annum to £301.08 for a Band D property which was below the 2018/19 referendum limits set by the Secretary of State.

The Council voted on recommendations d) and e) together.

Those who voted in favour: Cllrs A Blackwood, K Brookes, H Bruce, I Bruce, M Byatt, J Cant, F Drake, J Ellis, J Farquharson, T Ferrari, K Garcia, L Hamilton, R Hope, C Huckle, C James, O Kanji, P Kimber, R Kosior, P McCartney, P Nixon, R Nowak, J Orrell, J Osborne, C Page-Nash, A Reed, G Rockingham, T Roos, G Taylor, M Tewkesbury, K Wheller.

Decision:

That the formal resolutions in respect of the 2018/19 Budget and Council Tax including details of the council tax levels for Dorset County Council, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner and Fire & Rescue Authority and Portland Town Council as set out in Appendix 4 of the report be approved.

That the Budget Working Group reviewed the reserves available to support once off projects in the light of the LGR decision.