432 Budget 2021-2022 PDF 207 KB
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Decision:
Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet
Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Chair of
the Public Accounts Select Committee, Councillor Pat Codd and by Councillor
Jacq Paschoud, the Mayor and Cabinet agreed in a recorded vote that:
(1) the comments of the Public Accounts Select Committee of 2 February
2021 be received and a minuted response be provided to the Select
Committee and notes that Mayor and Cabinet decisions on the budget report
will then be taken formally with the budget update report on the 10 February,
(2) having considered the views of those consulted on the budget, and subject
to consideration of the outcome of consultation with business ratepayers and
subject to proper process, as required, the Mayor and Cabinet approved the
following budgetary decisions:
General Fund Revenue Budget
2.3 notes and asks Council to note the projected overall variance of £3.2m (or
1.3%) against the agreed 2020/21 revenue budget of £248.714m as set out in
section 6 of this report and that any year-end overspend will be met from
corporate reserves and provisions;
2.4 endorses and asks Council to endorse the budget cut proposals of
£28.016m as per the Mayor and Cabinet meetings of the 9 December 2020
and 3 February 2020, as set out in section 6 of the report and summarised in
Appendix Y1 and Y2;
2.5 agrees and asks Council to agree the allocation of £6.500m in 2021/22 be
set aside and use of £1.500m reduced contribution for concessionary fares for
corporate risks and pressures;
2.6 agrees and asks Council to agree the allocation of £19.685m of corporate
risks and pressures, social care precept, new homes bonus, social care grant,
lower tier grant and legacy s31 monies in 2021/22 to be invested in funding
quantified budget pressures and opportunities, both recurring and once-off as
set out in section 6;
2.7 agrees to recommend to Council that a General Fund Budget
Requirement of £243.100m for 2021/22 be approved;
2.8 asks Council to agree to a 4.99% increase in Lewisham’s Council Tax
element. This will result in a Band D equivalent Council Tax level of £1,379.96
for Lewisham’s services and £1,743.62 overall. This represents an overall
increase in Council Tax for 2021/22 of 5.91% and is subject to the GLA
precept for 2021/22 being increased by £31.59 (i.e. 9.5%) from £332.07 to
£363.66, in line with the GLA’s draft budget proposals;
2.9 notes and asks Council to note the Council Tax Ready Reckoner which for
illustrative purposes sets out the Band D equivalent Council Tax at various
levels of increase. This is explained in section 6 of the report and is set out in
more detail in Appendix Y4;
2.10 asks that the Executive Director for Corporate Resources issues cash
limits to all Directorates once the 2021/22 Revenue Budget is agreed;
2.11 notes that the Executive Director for Corporate Resources Section 25
Statement will be presented in the Budget Update Report on the 10 February
2021 for approval; ... view the full decision text for item 432
Minutes:
Councillor Amanda De Ryk presented the report and confirmed earlier
discussion that this would be a cuts budget. She pointed out the Local
Government Financial Settlement did not meet the known needs of Lewisham
residents. The cuts she described would help set a balanced budget without
any call being made on reserves. She praised Finance Officers for their efforts
in constructing a workable budget.
Councillor Pat Codd, Chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee
presented written comments prepared after the previous evening’s meeting of
his Committee. Councillor Codd explained his Committee acknowledged the
difficult circumstances facing the Council and it commended the work of
officers in responding to the pandemic while also managing critical services
and identifying additional cuts to budgets. The Committee believed that the
hard work and dedication of Council officersrs in developing the 2021-22
budget should be recognised and praised.
Councillor De Ryk responded formally be endorsing fully the comments made
by the Select Committee. She praised the thematic approach taken in
formulating cuts which reflected a one Council approach. She moved that her
response be reported to the Select Committee. The A proposal to report the
response to the Select Committee was carried by 10 – 0 in a recorded vote
under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)
(Amendment) Regulations 2014, with the following result:
In favour of reporting the response to the Select Committee – 10
Mayor Egan, Councillors Barnham, Bell, Best, Bonavia, Dacres, McGeevor,
Reid, De Ryk, & Slater.
Against reporting the response to the Select Committee – nil
Abstaining in reporting the response to the Select Committee – nil
RESOLVED that the response laid out in the minutes be reported to the Select Committee
The Cabinet was next addressed by Councillor Jacq Paschoud who
highlighted the work of the People’s Parliament. The actions she described
were echoed by the Mayor who encouraged support for the ongoing activities
of the People’s Parliament. The Executive Director for Community Services
welcomed the feedback given as he believed the People’s Parliament created
an opportunity for vulnerable people to be heard.
The Mayor concluded by moving the recommendations stating that in difficult
times a balanced budget was being presented which fully reflected Labour
values.
Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet
Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Chair of
the Public Accounts Select Committee, Councillor Pat Codd and by Councillor
Jacq Paschoud, the Mayor and Cabinet agreed in a recorded vote carried by
10-0 under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)
(Amendment) Regulations 2014, with the following resul
In favour of the recommendations – 10
Mayor Egan, Councillors Barnham, Bell, Best, Bonavia, Dacres, McGeevor,
Reid, De Ryk, & Slater.
Against the recommendations – nil
Abstaining on recommendations - nil
RESOLVED that
(1) the comments of the Public Accounts Select Committee of 2 February
2021 be received and a minuted response be provided to the Select
Committee and notes that Mayor and Cabinet decisions on the ... view the full minutes text for item 432