On 7th December 2021 the Executive approved budget proposals for consultation as required with the public, interested parties, staff and the Trade Unions.

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “AU”) which provides the Executive with an update on the 2022-23 budget position following national announcements outlined in the Provisional Local Government Settlement (15th December 2021), and the likely impact following approval of the Council Tax and Business Rates base setting report (4th January 2022).

It also identifies issues and uncertainties which could still have a bearing on the final size of the budget for 2022-23 and future financial years.

Executive will need to have regard to this report when considering the recommendations to make to Council at their meeting on 15th February 2022 in advance of Budget Council on the 17th February 2022.

Recommended –

Executive are asked to:

(1)          note the contents of Document “AU” and to have regard to the information contained within Document “AU” when considering the recommendations to make to Council on a budget or 2022/23 at their meeting on 15 February 2022.

(2)       in accordance with Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, to have

regard to the information contained in Appendix B and the Annex       to Appendix B to Document “AU” together with the equality    assessments when considering the recommendations to make to    the Council on budget proposals for 2022-23.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Andrew Cross - 07870 386523)

On 7th December 2021 the Executive approved budget proposals for consultation as required with the public, interested parties, staff and the Trade Unions.

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “AU”) which provided the Executive with an update on the 2022-23 budget position following national announcements outlined in the Provisional Local Government Settlement (15th December 2021), and the likely impact following approval of the Council Tax and Business Rates base setting report (4th January 2022).

It also identified issues and uncertainties which could still have a bearing on the final size of the budget for 2022-23 and future financial years.

The report made clear that Executive will need to have regard to this report when considering the recommendations to make to Council on a budget for 2022/23 at their meeting on 15th February 2022, in advance of Budget Council on the 17th February 2022.

It was stressed that the final financial settlement from Government was expected in due course and this would be reflected in consequent budget documents. 

The outcomes of the consultation process which had run from 8 December 2021 to 19 January 2022 was explained.  The consultation process included a survey, online events. The consultation was supported with Equality Impact Assessments against all proposals.  They showed low or no disproportionate impact on protected characteristics identified across most proposals, two proposals had medium impact against low income and where issues had been identified, mitigation measures have been proposed to address all impacts.  One of the main concerns expressed through the consultation was around the proposed increases in Council Tax. 

The Leader stated that the number of people responding to the consultation exercise was probably low because no significant reductions to services or jobs are proposed this year, however the resourcing of Council services remains a challenge; Covid support monies are coming to an end and there will still be a continuing impact on services . It is unlikely the Government will allocate more funding to support this.  It is important that the Council continues to support the people of the district during this difficult time  as well as grow the local economy.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder alluded to the ongoing pressures in Adult Social Care, and despite the promises of additional money from Government with the proposed increases to National Insurance contribution, no immediate funding changes were imminent.

A Member of the main opposition group was present at the meeting and queried the level at which the tax base was calculated to determine Council Tax, compared to our neighbouring authorities.  In response it was stated that our tax base was broadly in line with the other councils, and that adjustments could be made annually to account for any anomalies.

The Leader stressed that it was up to each Council to calculate their own Council Tax base.

Resolved –

(1)          That the contents of Document “AU” be noted and that Executive have regard to the information contained within Document “AU” when considering the recommendations to make to Council on a budget for 2022/23 at their meeting on 15 February 2022.

(2)       That in accordance with Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Executive have regard to the information contained in Appendix B and the Annex to Appendix B to Document “AU” together with the equality assessments when considering the recommendations to make to the Council on budget proposals for 2022-23.

ACTION: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate