Agenda item

RESOLVED: That Cabinet.

a)    Approved for consultation the 2023-24 Draft Budget, including

                      i.        an estimated net revenue budget of £798.3m (£377.1m 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.        proposed Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendix C

                   iv.        provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £421.2m as detailed in Appendix D

                    v.        the draft Capital Programme additions as set out in Appendix E

b)    Set the tax base for West Northamptonshire at 142,060.8, Band D equivalents, as set out in paragraph 6.67

c)    For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

              i.        Noted the provisional allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2023-24 pending the final DSG settlement, and

            ii.        Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services 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.

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:

None

At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.

• Working on the budget should be a collaborative exercise.
• There had been no alternative options put forward with regards to the bus routes that had been removed.
• Could there be some further clarity given with regards to the community grant scheme figure, as it was not clear.
• The increase in various charges was noted.
• It was queried how the budget aligned with the corporate plan.
• It was noted that equality impact statements were not being produced alongside reports although they are a legal requirement.

Councillor Malcolm Longley presented the report and made the following comments.

• It was advised that there was an emissions budget, councillors would be welcome to discuss this.
• There was a working group dedicated to buses.
• Members were advised that all ideas were welcomed and to please ask for further detail should it be required.

The Executive Director of Finance noted that it would be unlikely that business rates would be reset and that the budget itself was aligned with the corporate plan.

The Chair advised that any increases in costs were only done, when necessary, with the goal of avoiding cuts to services.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet.

a)    Approved for consultation the 2023-24 Draft Budget, including

                      i.        an estimated net revenue budget of £798.3m (£377.1m 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.        proposed Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendix C

                   iv.        provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £421.2m as detailed in Appendix D

                    v.        the draft Capital Programme additions as set out in Appendix E

b)    Set the tax base for West Northamptonshire at 142,060.8, Band D equivalents, as set out in paragraph 6.67

c)    For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

              i.        Noted the provisional allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2023-24 pending the final DSG settlement, and

             ii.        Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services 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.