Agenda item

To consider the Revenue Budget 2022/23

Consideration was given to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, Revenue and Capital Budget 2022/23, Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23, Revenue Budget Statutory Report, Council Tax 2022/23, and the Members Allowance Scheme relating to Items 5(c ) to 5(i) on the agenda.

Consideration was also given to the relevant Minutes 89,90,91, and 92 of the Executive (14^th February 2022).

It was Moved by Councillor Sue Graham and Seconded by Councillor Afrasiab Anwar;

“That the Council approves the proposals contained in Items 5 (c ) to 5 (i) on the agenda and as set out in the relevant Minutes 89-92 of the 14^th February 2022 Executive.”

An Amendment was submitted by the Green Group and Moved by Councillor Scott Cunliffe and Seconded by Councillor Martyn Hurt ;

“Item 5d Revenue Budget Appx 2 Page 96 Growth Proposal

Proposed Additional Budget Line £15,000 Source: Covid Reserve

30 new allotment plots in Burnley Borough

Reasoning:

1. The council should aspire to provide an allotment to anyone who wants one 2. There are currently 300 people on allotment waiting lists across the borough

3. Greenspaces have identified potential sites for new allotments

 4. Fresh produce from allotments help families to reduce food costs

5. Allotments improve the wellbeing of residents 6. Allotments improve biodiversity within the borough

Item 5e Capital Budget Appendix 3 Page 114

Amendment: p.114 £21,000 IT Upgrades: Replacement of circa 65 tablets (iPads) used by members and officers to access electronically meeting agenda papers and reports.

Propose that the cost should be spread over 3 years. i.e. £7k per year triggering a capital saving of £14k this year. 

Amended text:  Replacement of tablets (iPads) as required by members and officers to access electronically meeting agenda papers and reports.

Reasoning:

 1) All members should be asked if they require a tablet to conduct their Council business. For example, 3 out of 5 of the current Green Group do not require a Council funded tablet

2) All existing tablets should be tested to examine if they are in a good condition to carry out the required function. The ones received by our group are in a good working order.  Once an accurate need is known it could trigger savings in year 2 and year 3. 

Item 5e Capital Budget Appendix 3 Page 114

Amendment: p.114: £100,000 Audio & Visual Upgrade to Facilitate On-line Meetings. Replacement of the delegate public address and induction loop systems in the Council Chamber and public gallery; plus, the installation of an electronic delegate voting system and display and fixed cameras to facilitate the live streaming of Council meetings.

Amended text: Replacement of the delegate public address and induction loop systems in the Council Chamber and public gallery; plus, the installation of an electronic delegate voting system and display and fixed cameras to facilitate the live streaming of Council meetings, electric plug charging points that can be accessed by members and staff, and improved chamber accessibility for all members.

Reasoning: 

Estimates received for the original replacements only come to £70,000. The remaining money should be used to further upgrade the chamber so all members and staff have equal access to and from the chamber and can operate and recharge their electronic devices without disruption during meetings, many of which are over two hours in duration”

It was Moved by the Mayor Councillor Mark Townsend and Seconded by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Cosima Towneley under Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 13 Motion without Notice to adjourn the meeting but the Motion was LOST

In accordance with CPR 16.7 a recorded vote was taken on the Green Group amendment and it was declared to be CARRIED.

The Green Group amendment became part of the substantive motion and in in accordance with CPR 16.7 a recorded vote was taken on the substantive Motion and it was declared to be CARRIED.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the latest Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved;

(2)  That the Reserves Strategy be approved, as appended to the Medium Term Financial Strategy;

(3)  That it be noted that a refreshed document will be provided when required as an aid to monitoring the continued delivery of an annually balanced budget;

(4)  That the approach that has been adopted in developing budget proposals that reflect the Council`s Strategic Objectives for 2022/23 be endorsed;

(5)  That the proposals contained in the Revenue Budget 2022/23 report be approved;

(6)  That the setting of a Council Tax requirement of £7,480,375 for the financial year 2022/23 be approved;

(7)  That the setting of a Net Budget Requirement of £15,231,941 be approved for 2022/23;

(8)  That in Revenue Budget Appx 2 Growth Proposal -Additional Budget Line £15,000 Source: Covid Reserve -30 new allotment plots in Burnley Borough be approved

(9)  That the statutory report issued by the Head of Finance and Property under the Local Government Act 200 be received and considered;

(10)               That the Chief Operating Officer/Heads of Service be authorised to progress action plans to deliver the 2022/23 budget;

(11)               That approval be given for a Council Tax (Band D) figure of £318.49 for this Council for the year commencing 1^st April 2022 and adopt the statutory resolution to set the full Council Tax for the year. This is equivalent to a 1.99% Council Tax increase;

(12)               That the 2022/23 Capital Budget, totalling £37,805,441, as set out in Appendix 1 be approved;

(13)               That the 2022-27 Capital Investment Programme as set out in Appendix 1 be approved;

(14)               That the estimated position on capital resources as set out in Appendix 2  be noted;

(15)               That Capital Budget Appendix 3 regarding £21,000 IT Upgrades amended text be approved as follows; Replacement of tablets (iPads) as required by members and officers to access electronically meeting agenda papers and reports.

(16)               That Capital Budget Appendix 3 regarding £100,000 Audio & Visual Upgrade to Facilitate On-line amended text be approved as follows; Replacement of the delegate public address and induction loop systems in the Council Chamber and public gallery; plus, the installation of an electronic delegate voting system and display and fixed cameras to facilitate the live streaming of Council meetings, electric plug charging points that can be accessed by members and staff, and improved chamber accessibility for all members.

(17)               That the Treasury Management Strategy statement for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved;

(18)               That the prudential and treasury indicators for 2022/23 to 2024/25 as per Appendix 2 including the authorised limit for external debt of £95.346M in 2022/23 be approved;

(19)               That the list of Counterparties for Deposits outlined in Appendix 3 be approved;

(20)               That the Council`s MRP Statement for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 4 of this report be approved;