Issue - meetings

Details of the Budget Process which will be used at the meeting are attached.

Council was asked to consider a net revenue budget of £311.351 million, to increase council tax, approve rents, fees and charges, the capital programme and reserves as detailed fully in the updated published budget papers.

The Chairman explained at the outset, how he intended to chair this item and referred to the previously circulated budget process. He reminded Councillors of the various papers that had been circulated in connection with Council’s consideration of this item as follows:

a)        The Leader’s budget speech - this was emailed to Councillors once it was given and is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

b)        The proposed amendments of the Liberal Democrat group, including comments from statutory officers.

c)       The reports of the meetings of the Overview And Scrutiny Management Committee held on 1 and 14 February 2017.

d)       The recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 7 February 2017.

E)        The Financial Plan Update 2017/18 report of the Section 151 Officer, together with the  Budget Book, proposed fees and charges and the relevant extract of the Schools Forum minutes, minutes of the meeting held between group leaders and trade unions, the Wiltshire Housing Board and a summary of the public meetings held across the County.

The Leader of the Council addressed Council delivering her budget speech (Appendix A). In making her address, the Leader highlighted the three priorities that had informed the development of the budget: protecting the vulnerable, promoting the local economy and supporting volunteering and community resilience. Reference was made to the opportunities taken to encourage investment, and the opportunities to give communities more power over their facilities and services. The Leader concluded by thanking officers and her Cabinet for working hard to produce the budget.

Councillor Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Finance, presented the Council’s proposed Financial Plan update for 2017/18. In presenting the budget, he referred to the savings that had been identified, and the areas that would receive financial investment.

Councillor Tonge thanked Michael Hudson, Associate Director for Finance, his team and other officers for their hard work in putting together a difficult budget, and that they had helped develop innovative approaches to the challenges presented.

Councillor Dick Tonge moved the budget as presented and this was duly seconded by the Leader. This included further proposals by the Administration as presented to Cabinet on 7 February.

Councillor Simon Killane, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, presented the reports of his Committee dated 1 February which had considered and scrutinised the budget proposals, and from the meeting on the 14 February where the proposals made by the Liberal Democrat Group had been presented. He made reference to the useful briefing given to all members by the Cabinet Member and officers, and emphasised the importance of ensuring all backbench councillors were fully informed. 

Councillor Glenis Ansell, in her capacity as Chairman of the Financial Planning Task Group, reported on the work of her Task Group and how it had reviewed and monitored the budget, including tracking overspends  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91

Council was asked to consider a net revenue budget of £313.585 million, to increase council tax, approve rents, fees and charges, the capital programme and reserves as detailed fully in the updated published budget papers.

The Chairman explained at the outset, how he intended to chair this item and referred to the previously circulated budget process. He reminded Councillors of the various papers that had been circulated in connection with Council’s consideration of this item as follows:

a)        The Leader’s budget speech - this was emailed to Councillors once it was given and is attached as Appendix B to these minutes.

b)        The proposed amendments of the Liberal Democrat group, including comments from statutory officers.

c)       The reports of the meetings of the Overview And Scrutiny Management Committee held on 3 and 12 February 2016.

d)       The recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2016.

E)        The Financial Plan Update 2016/17 report of the Section 151 Officer, together with the  Budget Book, proposed fees and charges and the relevant extract of the Schools Forum minutes, minutes of the meeting held between group leaders and trade unions, the Wiltshire Housing Board and a summary of the public meetings held across the County.

F)        The proposed council tax resolution which would be taken separately.

The Leader of the Council addressed Council delivering her budget speech (Appendix B). In making her address, the Leader highlighted the three priorities that had informed the development of the budget: protecting the vulnerable, promoting the local economy and supporting volunteering and community resilience. Reference was made to the pressures on the budget from changing demographics and reduced funding, and the opportunities that also arose from challenges that the Council faced. The Leader concluded by thanking officers and her Cabinet for working hard to produce the budget.

Councillor Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Finance, presented the Council’s proposed Financial Plan update for 2016/17. In presenting the budget, he referred to the savings that had been identified, and the areas that would receive financial investment. Councillor Tonge also outlined how additional funding would be allocated.

Councillor Tonge thanked Michael Hudson, Associate Director for Finance, his team and other officers for their hard work in putting together a difficult budget, and that they had displayed great patience in responding to the changes in government funding this year.

Councillor Dick Tonge moved the budget as presented and this was duly seconded by the Leader.

Councillor Simon Killane, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, presented the reports of his Committee dated 3 February which had considered and scrutinised the budget proposals, and from the meeting on the 12 February where the proposals made by the Liberal Democrat Group had been presented. He made reference to the useful briefing given to all members by the Cabinet Member and officers, and emphasised the importance of ensuring all backbench councillors were fully informed.  He concluded by offering thanks to the Cabinet members for positively engaging in the process and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8