Issue - meetings

All Members have been invited to the meeting for this item of business.

Members will receive a presentation on the Budget and Capital Programme and are requested to make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

Members are requested to read the Agenda for the Cabinet meeting on 2^nd February 2021 once published, which will include the Cabinet Reports and Budget Papers.

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Members received a presentation on the Budget and Capital Programme from the Assistant Director (Section 151 Officer).  A copy of the presentation is attached.

It was noted that the Budget and Capital Programme would be presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 2^nd February 2021.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for her presentation, and invited questions and comments from those present at the meeting.

Officers responded to questions about Alive West Norfolk, and explained the financial support available to them.

Officers and the Leader of the Council responded to questions relating to the Internal Drainage Boards explaining how drainage boards were funded, outlined the contributions made to them and how the contributions were displayed on council tax bills.  Members were reminded that there were Borough Council representatives on Internal Drainage Board.

In response to a question it was confirmed that there were currently no plans for redundancies in the financial plan.

In response to a question on whether there was a rule of thumb percentage increase in costs which would need to be met as a result of increases in the council tax base the Chief Executive explained that the budget included increases in costs within specific service areas.  In addition other income would be generated, for example brown bins and other fees and charges, however there was no rule of thumb on this.  Additional contributions towards infrastructure from developers including Section 106 and CIL was also highlighted.

It was also clarified that the Police were limited to a ten pound increase, County Council were limited to 2% with an additional increase of 3% for health and social care over a two year period.  There was no limit on Parish Precept increases.

A question was also asked about the Future High Street Fund and it was explained that if this had been successful it would have been included in the financial plan along with any match funding included.

The Leader of the Council also highlighted the role of Policy Review and Development Panels in looking at efficiencies and the councils finances.

The Section 151 Officer and Chief Executive agreed to clarify the processes and lead in time required for a Referendum.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet note the comments from the Panel.

All Members have been invited to the meeting for this item of business.

Members will receive a presentation on the Budget and Capital Programme and are requested to make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

Members are requested to read the Agenda for the Cabinet meeting on 4^th February 2020, once published which will include the Cabinet Reports and Budget Papers.

Members received a presentation on the Budget 2019-2024 (copy attached) from the Interim Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer).

Following the presentation, the Leader, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, Chief Executive and Interim Head of Finance responded to questions and comments in relation to:

·        Borough Council’s reserves.

·        Renewable energy would bring additional business rates.  The Borough Council currently 100% of business growth relating to renewable energy, but going forward it was not certain the Council would retain 100%.  Examples were given of a local renewable energy sources.

·        Level of General Fund Balances.

·        The Council’s planned approach to achieving early costs savings.

·        Local government financial settlement 2020/2021.

·        Internal Drainage Board Levy.  It was noted that both Borough Councillors/ Parish Councillors were appointed to Internal Drainage Boards within the Borough and it was suggested that a briefing be held for those Members appointment to an Internal Drainage Board.  The Interim Head of Finance to clarify levy for 2020/21.

·        Delay until 2021/2022 in implementing reforms to Business Rates Retention Scheme.

·        Outcomes of the Fair Funding Review.

·        Proposed council tax increase of £4.50 on Band D Property in 2020/2021.

·        Proposed £4.50 increase in council tax for the following years of the Financial Plan.

·        Council tax collection rate.

·        Car park charges increased in April 2018.  It was highlighted that there would be no increases across the board.  The proposal is to reinstate the 2 hour and 3 hour pricing structure from April 2020. 

·        Process adopted for the calculation of business rates.

·        Leisure Service charges.  The Chief Executive explained that Alive West Norfolk followed that same as the Borough Council in relation to the base budget for fees and charges.  The proposed fees and charges for 2020/21 would be presented to the next Alive West Norfolk Board meeting.

·        Fees and charges for the services provided by the Borough Council.

·        An overview of the information sent out with council tax bills.

·        Capital Programme 2019 – 2024:  how projects could be funded, projects which would generate income, items purchased by the Borough Council, an example was given – vehicles.

·        Entries in the Corporate Risk Register – included the budget position and business rates retention.

·        Brexit – there is an uncertainty as to what the impact of the Council’s budget will be.  Updates on any impact will be reported as part of the budget monitoring process.

·        New Homes Bonus.

·        Special expenses.

·        King’s Lynn Innovation Centre net revenue income.

·        How the council approached the £7.2m budget gap over the period of the Financial Plan.

·        Future High Streets Fund – the Council had submitted an initial bid.

·        Towns Fund.

·        Information Technology/risks.

RESOLVED: 1) That the budget and capital programme 2019 – 2024 be noted.

2) A briefing/training session be scheduled for those Councillors appointed to an Internal Drainage Board.