To consider General Fund budget proposals and Council Tax proposals.

Councillor Hebb, Portfolio Holder for Finance, presented the report reminding Cabinet Members of his announcement at the last meeting, that the Council had a balanced budget. He continued to comment the Council was becoming more self-sufficient and with previous Governments overspend, it was important that the Council looked at different ways of working.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance stated the continued work of the Council Spending Review was significant, as it encouraged cross-party working such as the Investment Strategy.

Members heard in addition to the savings proposals that were set out in the report to Council in February 2017, Service Review proposals were being developed and were summarised within the report.  Councillor Hebb highlighted there were no further savings being proposed due to the success of the investment approach, which had been endorsed by both Cabinet and Council.

Councillor Hebb informed Cabinet a 3% increase in the Adult Social Care precept would continue into 2018/19 and there was an assumption that a 1.99% general Council Tax until 2020/21 would be included.  He continue to state that, should there be an increase in Council Tax, Thurrock still had the third lowest Council Tax amongst all Unitary Authorities and, subsequently, the third lowest budget. 

The Portfolio Holder continued to make the following announcements:

·         That the Cabinet would be spending over £500,000 extra on the Clean It, Cut It component of the programme.

·         The Council was committed to ensuring benefits of the surplus reached all parts of the borough; there would be a heavy focus on the condition of the A13 and other highways with regards to central reservations cleanliness, and sign cleaning/repairs.

·         New equipment would be purchased for the recently enlarged front line teams which would allow the council to focus on graffiti cleaning, drain and gulley maintenance and improving the park cleanliness across the borough.

·         It had been agreed to spend £750,000 extra on the Fill It component of the programme. The council would be going further with road resurfacing and pot hole filling ambitions, including remarking white lines across the borough which were in need.

·         The Cabinet had chosen to spend more on developing the Local Plan consultations over the next year. This would include funds to gather the data required by the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force.

·         Lastly the Cabinet were opting to spend £250,000 on anti-social behaviour prevention and were determined to reverse the anti-social behaviour challenges faced within local communities, families and friends.

Councillor Coxshall commented the news of an additional £2.3million in total was fantastic. He continued by mentioning the funding for consultations and the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force meant the council could obtain the facts they required.

Councillor Watkins, Portfolio Holder for Environment, remarked on the fact that funds were being brought back into the department which meant that, with the new equipment being purchased, services could continue to improve.

The Leader of the Council addressed Members stating that within 19 months of obtaining administration there had been a 40% increase in reserves and services were becoming more self-sufficient. He continued by thanking Councillor Hebb and his teams for their hard work over the last few months.

Councillor Gledhill observed the funding for the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force, he remarked it was the councils job to complete different aspects of Air Quality and Road Movement reports, so officers had the facts and data required.

Lastly the Leader commented on anti-social behaviour, stating it was an important topic on which he was working alongside the Chief Executive. He further commented the pilot scheme was called ‘Stop It’ and focused on all levels anti-social behaviour.

RESOLVED:

1.    Noted the assumption of a 3% Council Tax increase to provide additional funding towards the cost of Adult Social Care;

2.    Noted that, in line with previous reports, this report assumes a 1.99% general Council Tax increase but that the local government settlement allows for an increase up to 2.99%;

3.    Determined how to utilise the expected one off surplus balances in both 2017/18 and 2018/19;

4.    Endorsed the use of the reclassified Minimum Revenue Provision as set out in section 4; and

5.    Noted this draft budget and ask Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to comment and make recommendations back to Cabinet in February ahead of Full Council.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in