Decision details

2023-24 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;

a)    Approved the 2023-24 Budget for West Northamptonshire set out in this report, and recommended the Budget to the Full Council meeting on 22 February 2023, including:

              i.        an estimated net revenue budget of £826.069m (£382.391m excluding Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A.

            ii.        an average Band D Council tax of £1,693.73 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 schedule as detailed in Appendix D.

           iv.        dedicated schools grant budget of £443.7m as detailed in Appendix EP.

            v.        the Capital Strategy as set out in section 7 and Appendix F1, and Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 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)    Recommended the following to Full Council on 22 February 2023, to ensure that the revenue and capital budget and all associated financial policies can be delivered in a safe and legal manner from 1 April 2023 and also to ensure there is flexibility to manage the overall budget in the year:

              i.        To delegate authority to the Executive Director - Finance to manage any variation in budget prior to the start of 2023-24 as a result of final confirmation of the local government finance settlement, or as a result of unforeseen commitments; in consultation with the Finance Portfolio Holder.

            ii.        To delegate authority to the Executive Director - Finance in consultation with the portfolio holder for Finance to amend the capital programme for 2023-24 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.        To note the use of reserves as summarised in the table contained at paragraph 5.102.

           iv.        To delegate 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.        To delegate authority to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the portfolio holder for finance to release the general contingency fund of £11.1m if required in the year.

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

 

 

c)    For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

              i.        Noted the allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2023-24.

            ii.        Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegates authority to the Executive Director - People to determine the DSG 2023-24 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula in line with Department for Education guidance.

 

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

e)    Noted that car parking charges are still in the process of being considered following budget consultation and discussions with local business leaders and other interested  parties. Final charges will be confirmed at the Cabinet meeting.

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)    Following consideration of the budget consultation exercise and ongoing dialogue with local business leaders and other interested stakeholders Cabinet agree to amend the final budget proposals recommended to Council so that the car parking fees and charges tabled at the meeting are adopted in place of the car parking charges contained in the previously published fees and charges schedule.

i)     Cabinet recommend as part of the final budget proposals to full council that free parking be provided for blue badge holders at the Council’s Country Parks.

j)     Following consideration of the budget consultation exercise Cabinet agree to amend the final budget proposals recommended to Council to include the creation of a highways fund of £1m to be funded through re-purposing one off reserves.

 

REASONS RESOLVED:

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

 

In relation to the additional resolution relating to car parking charges

 

Budget consultation on the draft budget proposals identified concerns over the impact of car parking on local businesses, stakeholders and community groups during a time of regeneration in the town. 

 

Following a series of meetings between the Council and  stakeholders to further understand the impacts,  whilst setting out a principle of not wanting to see any increases,   businesses pointed to the areas which had most impact in retaining footfall, encouraged  dwell time within the centre but had minimal changes in regard to the loss of budget. 

 

The proposed changes therefore take on board consultation results and have been amended to support the town centre through the next stage of development.

 

Consultation also identified concerns about the arrangements for the Racecourse car park. The proposed charges have therefore been withdrawn to allow further consideration to be given to this area.

 

Budget consultation also included a significant number of comments on town centre car parking and Country Parks parking. As a result, the Country Park charges have also been re-considered and amended. This includes the introduction of free parking for blue badge holders at the Council’s country parks.

 

In relation to the additional resolution relating to highways funding

 

Following consultation, it is clear that the condition of the highway is of particular concern to residents and stakeholders. Cabinet have taken this into account in framing their final budget recommendations to full council. 

In looking at the current evidence, number of complaints  and condition of the roads it is clear that the winter weather experienced along with several periods of freezing temperatures followed by warmer temperatures has had a particularly damaging impact in regard to the number and size of potholes appearing.

 

It is therefore proposed that a further £1m be allocated to the highways maintenance budget to be used to prioritise potholes including investigation and possible  investment of machinery that will  improve the productivity and efficiency of the maintenance process.

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

Publication date: 13/02/2023

Date of decision: 13/02/2023

Decided at meeting: 13/02/2023 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: