Agenda item

Report of Director of Resources (Copy herewith)

2.1         Cabinet agreed that the General Fund draft budget proposals for 2013/14, and indicative budgets for 2014/15 and 2015/16, as summarised in Appendices A and B of the report be approved for public consultation.

2.2         Cabinet agreed the proposed Council Tax freeze for 2013/14 be approved for public consultation.

2.3         Cabinet agreed that the draft Capital Programme and financing, as detailed in Appendices D1, D2, and E of the report, be approved for public consultation

2.4         Cabinet approved the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget including charges and rents for public consultation.

2.5         Cabinet delegated to the Director of Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance the authority to make any technical changes arising from the draft Local Government Finance Settlement.

2.6         Cabinet noted the decision to enter into a pooling arrangement with other authorities across Northamptonshire with regard to the localisation of business rates.

2.7         Cabinet approved the consultation leaflet be delegated to the Director of Customers and Communities in consultation with the Leader and Accountable Cabinet Member for Finance.

2.8         Cabinet agreed the Chief Executive and Management Board, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet members, undertake the preparatory work in relation to the savings and efficiencies built into the draft budget proposals, subject to any actions being rescinded should any budget options not be approved at Council on 25 February 2013. 

2.9         Cabinet noted that Council’s response to any Formula Grant settlement consultation will be prepared by the Director of Resources in consultation with the Chief Executive, the Accountable Cabinet Member for Finance and the Leader of the Council.

Councillor Bottwood, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report. He explained that the budget was being set during a challenging economic climate and whilst there was a decrease in resources there had also an increase in service users and therefore a structure needed to be put in place to ensure sustainability.  He commented that partnership working to deliver more efficient organisational working had been undertaken and as a result, an agreement had been made to enter into Local Government Shared Services. He further commented that partnership working should be viewed as a safeguard for securing jobs over a long term period and that the Council Wide Budget would enable Council Tax to be frozen for a third consecutive year. He thanked officers for their hard work during a challenging financial period.

Councillor Caswell commented that the Budget had allowed for the extension of park rangers services and over the past year there had been a commitment to invest in the area with the provision of an extra staff member and 2 new vehicles to provide greater efficiency.

Councillor Eldred commented that the proposal to allow sponsorship for events organised by the events team would secure successful future events and increase visitor and footfall in the town centre. It was noted that a proposed cost saving measure would be the termination of support for the Ground Works Scheme.

Councillor Markham commented that a review of CCTV had been undertaken to examine the use of the least effective cameras. It was explained that after consulting with residents associations who had expressed some concerns, it had been agreed that only 14 of the least effective cameras be switched off.

Councillor Hadland commented that there had been an increase in usage of town centre car parks of 6.5 percent. It was explained that the Greyfriars bus station currently housed buses overnight, but that from March 2013 this would cease and £35,000 would be made available to ensure the security of the premises prior to its demolition. It was noted that provisions had been made to improve the facilities at the town’s Skatepark. It was further noted that money had been secured to prevent public spaces from being accessed illegally.

The Leader commented that the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government had spoken of the challenging financial times facing local authorities. However, it was noted that through identifying savings in a number of areas, the Council had again been able to freeze Council Tax.

RESOLVED:

1)    That that the General Fund draft budget proposals for 2013/14, and indicative budgets for 2014/15 and 2015/16, as summarised in Appendices A and B of the report be approved for public consultation.

2)    That the proposed Council Tax freeze for 2013/14 be approved for public consultation.

3)    That the draft Capital Programme and financing, as detailed in Appendices D1, D2, and E of the report, be approved for public consultation

4)    That the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget including charges and rents for public consultation be approved

5)    That the Director of Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance be delegated the authority to make any technical changes arising from the draft Local Government Finance Settlement.

6)    That the decision to enter into a pooling arrangement with other authorities across Northamptonshire with regard to the localisation of business rates be noted.

7)    That the consultation leaflet be delegated to the Director of Customers and Communities in consultation with the Leader and Accountable Cabinet Member for Finance be approved.

8)    That the Chief Executive and Management Board, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet members, be agreed to undertake the preparatory work in relation to the savings and efficiencies built into the draft budget proposals, subject to any actions being rescinded should any budget options not be approved at Council on 25 February 2013. 

9)    That Council’s response to any Formula Grant settlement consultation will be prepared by the Director of Resources in consultation with the Chief Executive, the Accountable Cabinet Member for Finance and the Leader of the Council be noted.