Issue - meetings

The Budget proposals were introduced by the Mayor who pointed out that in

addition to enforced governmental austerity, the Council also faced the

incredible financial strain arising from the Covid 19 pandemic. He believed

only the election of a future Labour Government would permit rational

budgetary planning to take place. He paid particular thanks to Councillor De

Ryk and to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources and her senior

staff for their help throughout the budget setting process.

The Mayor confirmed that he was proposing a Council Tax rise of 4.99% and

that a balanced budget would be achieved without calling upon reserves.

The Mayor further confirmed that he did not intend to vary the budget

proposals he had already fully set out at Mayor and Cabinet on February 3

and 10 and which did not require further amendment.

A motion that the proposals be accepted was moved by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk and seconded by the

Chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee, Councillor Pat Codd.

During the debate on the budget the 5 minute limit on speeches for the Mayor

and Councillors De Ryk and Codd was suspended.

Under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)

(Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was conducted on this item

with the following result:

In favour 47

Damien Egan (Mayor), Obajimi Adefiranye, Tauseef Anwar, Chris Barnham, Paul Bell, Peter Bernards, Chris Best, Kevin Bonavia, Andre Bourne, Bill Brown, Juliet Campbell, Suzannah Clarke, Patrick Codd, Liam Curran, Brenda Dacres, Amanda De Ryk, Joe Dromey, Colin Elliott, Aisling Gallagher, Leo Gibbons, Alan Hall, Carl Handley, Octavia Holland, Su Coral Howard, Mark Ingleby, Liz Johnston-Franklin, Caroline Kalu, Silvana Kelleher, Louise Krupski, Jim Mallory, Paul Maslin, Sophie McGeevor, Joan Millbank, Hilary Moore, Pauline Morrison, John Muldoon, Jacq Paschoud, John Paschoud, Kim Powell, James Rathbone, Joani Reid, Sakina Sheikh, Jonathan Slater, Alan Smith, Luke Sorba, Eva Stamirowski, James-J Walsh and Susan Wise.

Against nil

Abstention nil

1.1          RESOLVED that the Council approves the recommendations shown below in respect of the 2021/22 Budget;

1.2          That, having considered the views of those consulted on the budget, and subject to proper process, as required, Council:

1.3          notes 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;

1.4          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;

1.5          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;

1.6          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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128