Decision details

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

a)    Approved the 2024-25 Budget for West Northamptonshire set out in this report, and recommends the Budget to the Full Council meeting on 22 February 2024, including;

       i.          an estimated net revenue budget of £889.5m (£414.5m excluding Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A.

      ii.          an average Band D Council Tax of £1,778.25 for West Northamptonshire Council, which represents an average increase of 4.99% (2.99% increase in ‘core’ Council Tax and 2% Adult Social Care Precept).

    iii.          Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendix D.

    iv.          Dedicated Schools Grant budget of £475m as detailed in Section 7 and Appendix E.

     v.          Capital Strategy additions as set out in Appendix F1 and F2.

    vi.          the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy set out in Appendix G.

  vii.          the Treasury Management Strategy set out in Appendix J.

 viii.          setting the authorised limits for borrowing as set out in Appendix F1 section 8.13 and 8.14.

b)    Noted the final tax base for West Northamptonshire at 142,664.60 Band D equivalent properties, as set out in paragraph 5.91.

c)     Would recommend the following to Full Council on 22 February 2024, to ensure that the revenue and capital budget and all associated financial policies can be delivered from 1 April 2024 and also to ensure there is flexibility to manage the overall budget in the year:

       i.          Delegated authority to the Executive Director - Finance to manage any variation in budget prior to the start of 2024-25 as a result of final confirmation of the local government finance settlement, or as a result of unforeseen commitments; in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance.

      ii.          Delegated authority to the Executive Director - Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to amend the capital programme for 2024-25 going forward so that it accurately reflects issues such as slippage on current year projects that will need to be added to the programme, any amendments made to existing capital programmes, adjustments to accommodate any future use of capital receipts policy and for any other reason where the Capital Programme needs to be adjusted.

    iii.          Noted the use of reserves as summarised in the table contained at paragraph 5.103

    iv.          Delegated authority to the Executive Director - Finance to employ earmarked reserves for the purposes they were set up for including the release of the risk reserve if required.

     v.          Delegated authority to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the portfolio holder for finance to release the general contingency fund of £10.0m if required in the year.

    vi.          Noted the Executive Director – Finance has delegated authority to amend fees and charges.

d)    For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

       i.          Noted the provisional allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2024-25 pending the final DSG settlement.

      ii.          Following consultation with the Schools’ Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services to determine the DSG 2024-25 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula in line with Department for Education guidance.

e)    Considered the Section 25 statement of the Chief Finance Officer detailed in section 8 of the report.

f)      Noted the consultation feedback on the budget in Appendix H.

g)    Noted the feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Appendix I.

h)    Agreed a further recommendation to Council to ‘top up’ the Council Tax hardship fund by £150,000 to be funded from one-off earmarked reserves at the discretion of the Executive Director – Finance.

i)       Delegated authority to the Executive Director – Finance to take the necessary steps to introduce the new premiums on long term empty properties and second homes at the earliest opportunity as set out in paragraphs 5.94 to 5.96.

REASONS RESOLVED:

To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution and all other relevant requirements in setting the budget for West Northamptonshire Council.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

The Council is required to set a balanced budget.