Issue - meetings

To consider the policy and resources strategy 2011/12 0 2013/14 – revenue budget and recommendations as set out in the report.

The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the council was under an obligation to set a lawful budget by the statutory deadlines and to ensure all the necessary preparatory administrative and financial arrangements were in place prior to the next financial year. All local authorities are required to set their council tax by 11 March 2011.  Any delay to this date would mean the council would have to move its instalment date beyond 1 April 2011 resulting in loss of income to the council.

MOTION OF ADJOURNMENT

Cabinet members (as relevant to their portfolio) responded to the issues raised by the 13 deputations heard by cabinet on 8 February 2011. Following these presentations at 5.10pm it was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED:

That the meeting stand adjourned for 20 minutes. The meeting reconvened at 5.30pm.

Councillor Lisa Rajan presented the overview and scrutiny committee’s recommendations in respect of the  Policy and Resources Strategy 2011/12-2013/14 – draft revenue budget.

It was reported at cabinet that paragraph 212 of the report should be deleted to ensure consistency with overall budget proposals set out in that report.

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that the budget principles agreed by cabinet on 21 September 2010 have guided the process for budget setting.

2.  That the announcement of the final grant settlement by Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 31 January 2011 be noted.

3.  That a balanced budget based on a nil council tax increase for 2011/12 be agreed for recommendation to council assembly on 22 February 2011.  Budget schedules are set out in Appendices A to E of the report.

4.  That it be noted that subject to agreement by council assembly to the budget recommendations there will be a need to complete and invoke both statutory consultation procedures where necessary and the council’s own policies and procedures as appropriate in order to implement the savings and income generation proposals detailed in Appendix C to E of the report.

5.  That it be noted that the Greater London Assembly (GLA) will set its precept on 23 February and council assembly will therefore establish a committee for setting the council tax for 2011/12.

6.  That the indicative balanced budgets for 2012/13 and 2013/14, based on a council tax increase of 2.5% for 2012/13 and 2.5% for 2013/14 be noted.

7.  That it be noted that budget consultation took place with residents and community groups from September 2010 to 8 February 2011 and that the feedback from the consultation has been given due consideration by the cabinet.

8.  That the recommendations from the overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 31 January 2011 be agreed (Appendix F)

9.  That the deputations and verbal responses provided by cabinet members be noted and the following agreed:

a.  That steps be taken to further tighten existing corporate procedures for employing consultants.

b.  To work with Community Action Southwark to develop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7