Agenda item

The Worshipful the Mayor moved suspension of Council Procedure Rule 17.7 to allow the initial speeches on the budget to be up to the following lengths:

10 minutes for the Leader, 8 minutes for the Labour Group and 7 minutes for the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Thomas, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, then moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Councillor Rawlings moved the Labour Group alternative budget in his name. Debate ensued.

The Head of Governance informed Council that the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and Council Procedure Rule 12.4 requires that voting decisions relating to the budget and Council tax be recorded.

On the Labour Group amendment being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Labour group amendment in the name of Councillor Rawlings is therefore LOST.

On the Conservative group amendment being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that Council:

In respect of The Barnet Plan:

1.    Approves The Barnet plan, included as Appendix A, to ensure alignment of resources to corporate and strategic priorities;

In respect of the Budget and Council Tax for 2022/23 and the MTFS 2022-26, that Council:

2.    Approves the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), attached as Appendix B and the detailed revenue budgets in Appendix D, including the proposed savings and funding for pressures in 2022/23;

3.    Approves that the budget 2022/23 is prepared on the basis of a 0% increase for the general element of Council Tax in 2022/23 as discussed in paragraph 1.3.9 to 1.3.16;

4.    Approves that the budget for 2022/23 is prepared on the basis of an increase of 1% for the Social Care Precept, to help fund social care as detailed in paragraph 1.3.12 to 1.3.16;

5.    Approves the resolutions relating to Council Tax contained within Appendix C;

6.    Approves, on the advice of the Chief Finance Officer, that it determines that the Council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2022/23 as set out in Council Tax resolution Appendix C, 2(iv) is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB and 52ZC of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, set out in the Referendums relating to Council Tax increases (Principles)(England) Report 2022/23;

7.    Approves in accordance with Section 38(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that the Chief Executive be instructed to place a notice in the local press of the amounts set under recommendation 5 above within a period of 21 days following the Council’s decision;

8.    Notes within Section 1.6 and 1.7 that the financial position in 2021/22 remains stable despite the pressures on the Council arising from the pandemic, and that an overall breakeven position is currently anticipated for this year (after making some targeted contributions to reserves);

9.    Considers the issues that have emerged from the consultation discussed in Appendix G when making their decisions. That Council makes the decisions outlined in this report being mindful of the consultation responses and equalities impact assessments including the cumulative equalities impact assessments.

10. Notes the fees and charges as detailed in Appendix F;

In respect of Capital Strategy and proposed capital expenditure that Council:

11. Approves of the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix J1;

12. Approves the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix J2 and set out in paragraph 1.9;

13. Approves delegation to the Chief Finance Officer to adjust capital programme and financing in 2022/23 in line with the 2021/22 outturn position;

In respect of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS):

14. Approves the TMSS for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix K1;

15. Notes the mid-year review report for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix K2;

In respect of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA):

16. Approves Council dwelling rents increases as set out in section 2.5.3-2.5.8;

17. Approves Temporary accommodation rents increases in line with Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate as set out in paragraphs 2.5.9-2.5.13,

18. Approves services charge and garages increases as set out in paragraph 2.5.14-2.5.25,

In respect of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

19. Approves the Gross Schools Budget of £393.947m for 2022/23 as set out in paragraph 1.4.6-1.4.16;

20. Approves that any changes to the schools Budget reasonably required as a result of the final 2022/23 DSG and Post-16 settlement are delegated for decisions to the Executive Director – Children’s & Family Services in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources;

In respect of the appointment of an external auditor for 2023/24 to 2027/28, that Council:

21. As set out in 1.12, accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt in’ to the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors for five financial years commencing 1 April 2023;

22. Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Resources to respond to the invitation and take the necessary steps to finalise the appointment itself following the PSAA procurement process; and

In respect of the recent Government announcements around the cost of energy bills:

23.As set out in section 1.13, delegates authority to the Executive Director of Resources to design, implement and manage a Council Tax Rebate Scheme upon receipt of full guidance from Government.