Agenda item

474.1

Minutes of Meetings

Resolved:

That the minutes of the following Committees and Cabinet meetings be received.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 19 January 2022

Northern Area Planning Committee – 27 January 2022

474.2

To adopt recommendations from the following:

474.2.1

Cabinet – 23 February 2022

474.2.1.1

Revenue Budget and Council Tax Proposals 2022/23 

The Finance Portfolio Holder introduced the item by delivering her annual budget speech.  A balanced budget has been achieved, no front line services have been cut and the proposed Council Tax increase is below the rate of inflation.  There is uncertainty around future Government funding as the Local Government Financial Settlement for 2022/23 is for one year making it difficult for Councils to plan long term.

In line with the Government’s plan to help residents with the increase in gas and electric costs, the Council will be making a payment of £150 to all properties in Council Tax bands A-D which is around two thirds of properties in Test Valley and there will be discretionary funding to lower income residents in higher Council Tax bands.

Councillor C Dowden moved an amendment;

Budget Amendment 2022/23. Environment and Sustainability Special Reserve. 

In recognition of this Council's commitment to Sustainability and addressing Climate Change, a new earmarked reserve for Environment and Sustainability projects be established.

It is proposed that £1M (one million pounds) be transferred from the New Homes Bonus reserve into this new reserve as a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to delivering the actions in the Climate Emergency Action Plan,  or to support business/ organisations who develop projects which address the Climate and Environmental Emergency.

All expenditure from this newly-created reserve to be subject to approval in accordance with the Schedule of Limits set out in Appendix 1 of the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

As required by law, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services took the vote on the original motion, Members voted as follows:

Resolved:

1.  That the Revised Forecast for 2021/22 as set out in Column 3 of Annex 1 to the report be noted.

2.  That the Savings Options, Income Generation Proposals and Revenue Pressures as set out in Annexes 2 – 4 to the report be approved.

3.  That subject to recommendation 2 above and taking due regard of the Head of Finance & Revenues’ comments in Annex 8 to the report, the budget for 2022/23 as set out in Column 6 of Annex 1 to the report be approved.

4.  That subject to recommendations 2 and 3 above, the revenue estimates for each Service contained in Annex 7 to the report be approved.

5.  That a draw of £250,000 from the Budget Equalisation Reserve in 2022/23 be approved.

6.  That a Council Tax Requirement for 2022/23 of £10,089,081 be approved.

7.  That a Special Expenses Levy of £339,854 be made in respect of the area of Andover to cover the cost of providing burial grounds, sports grounds and playgrounds.

8.  That a general precept of £7,901,432 be levied for the year 2022/23.

9.  That the Medium Term Forecast contained in Annex 6 to the report be noted.

10.  That a Band D Council Tax excluding Parishes and Special Expenses of £153.91 in 2022/23 be approved – an increase of £5.00 on 2021/22 levels.