Decision details

2.1. Cabinet considered and welcomed the feedback from consultation with the public, organisations and the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit Committees (detailed at appendices 9, 10 and 11 of the report).

2.2. Cabinet agreed the changes to the proposed budget (detailed at paragraph 3.2.10 of the report), in light of technical adjustments and the Local Government Funding Settlement.

2.3. Cabinet recommended to Council the general fund revenue budget for 2019/20 of £27.495m (excluding parishes) for its own purposes (detailed in paragraph 3.2.8 and appendices 1 and 2 of the report).

2.4. Cabinet agreed that the Council be recommended to increase the council tax for its own purposes (excluding county, police, fire and parish precepts) by £6.56 (2.99%) per year per band D property for 2019/20.

2.5. Cabinet recommended to Council that they approve the general fund capital programme and proposed financing for 2019/20, including the inclusion of schemes in the development pool, as set out in appendix 4 of the report.

2.6. Cabinet agreed that Council be recommended to confirm a minimum level of general fund reserves of £4.0m for 2019/20, having regard to the outcome of the financial risk assessment, and also noted the position on earmarked reserves (appendix 7 of the report).

2.7. Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, and where appropriate the relevant Head of Service and Cabinet Member to:

·                     Transfer monies to/from earmarked reserves should that become necessary during the financial year.

·                     Update prudential indicators in both the prudential indicators report and treasury strategy report to Council, for any budget changes that impact on these.

2.8. Cabinet approved the draft fees and charges set out in appendix 8 of the report, including immediate implementation where appropriate.

2.9. Cabinet recommended to Council that they approve the treasury management strategy (and associated appendices) for 2019/20 at appendix 5 of this report.

2.10.     Cabinet delegated authority to the Council’s Chief Finance Officer, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to make any temporary changes needed to the Council’s borrowing and investment strategy to enable the authority to meet its obligations.

2.11.     Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer to make any technical changes necessary to the papers for the Council meeting of 25 February 2019, including changes to the finance settlement and change relating to parish precepts and council tax levels associated with those changes.