To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).
Minutes:
The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) introduced the report on the Council Budget 2019/20, the Medium Term Financial Plan 2019/20 and the Council Tax setting 2019/20.
It was moved by Councillor M D Conolly, and duly seconded by Councillor P G Heath, that the recommendations set out in the report incorporating the recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting held on 4 March 2019 be approved.
It was moved as an AMENDMENT by Councillor M R Eddy, and duly seconded by Councillor B Gardner, that
"Council resolves to add an additional project to the capital programme entitled ‘Installation of solar canopies’ with a proposed budget of £200k expenditure split equally between 2019/20 and 2020/21, with the intention of installing up to 100 solar canopies in appropriate locations across the council's estate, to be funded from general reserves or other resources that the Strategic Director (Resources) may identify, and to invest the savings from electricity bills (estimated at £25,000 per annum if all 100 solar canopies are in operation) in an ear-marked reserve to aid the future installation of electric charging points and the conversion of the council's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles."
Councillor K E Morris acknowledged the merit of the idea and suggested that if Councillor M R Eddy withdrew the amendment he would ask for a feasibility report to be submitted to Cabinet exploring the costs and savings of the proposed Amendment by Councillor M R Eddy’s amendment.
Councillor M R Eddy agreed to withdraw his amendment in light of the Leader’s assurance that the report would be produced.
On being put to the vote it was
RESOLVED: (a) That the General Fund Revenue Budget, the Capital and Special Projects Programmes, the Housing Revenue Account Budget, the Council Tax Resolution and the content of the MTFP be approved;
(b) That a Council Tax increase of 2.7% for DDC purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £4.95 per year and an annual DDC Council Tax of £187.29.
(c) To note that it is the view of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources), the Section 151 Officer, that the budget has been prepared in an appropriate and prudent manner and that based upon the information available at the time of producing this report the 2019/20 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2019/20;
(d) That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the attached budget and MTFP, and summarized in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, are approved as follows:
(i) Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19;
(ii) Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between reserves as set out in Annex 4.
(iii) Approve the HRA budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19 at Annex 5.
(iv) Approve the Capital and Special Revenue Projects Programmes;
(v) Approve that capital resources required to finance new projects are ... view the full minutes text for item 79
To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).
Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance
Due to its size, this report is reproduced as a supplementary paper to the main agenda.
Minutes:
(a) It was agreed:
(i) That, subject to Council approving the 2019/20 budget, the grants to organisations, as set out in Annex 9 of the report, be approved as follows:
Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2019/20 - £38,355
Various grants towards rentals/lease charges
Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:
Your Leisure - £111,500
Grant payment linked to revised funding agreement with lease for Tides Leisure Centre
Your Leisure - £5,000
Grant for Walmer paddling pool
Pegasus Playscheme - £1,500
Provision of a playscheme for children with disabilities
Age Concern - £1,500
Provision of area office services
Kent County Council - £3,000
Contribution to Sports Partnership
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve - £4,500
To assist in managing and maintaining the reserve
Sandwich Town Cricket Club - £10,000
To assist the club in defraying its expenditure in managing, maintaining and improving the recreation grounds at The Butts and Gazen Salts
Dover Outreach Centre - £10,000
Grant towards Winter Shelter costs
Dover Rugby Club - £12,000
For ground maintenance at Crabble Athletic Ground, covered by saving made in the landscape maintenance contract
Victoria Bowls - £1,000
Contribution to running expenses of club
Dover Bowling Club - £6,000
Grant towards grounds maintenance at Dover bowling green. Covered by savings within the grounds maintenance budget
Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £105,000
Core funding grant plus £3,500 service charge contribution
Neighbourhood Forums - £22,500
Grant to support voluntary and community organisations
Home Improvement Agency - £8,000
‘In Touch’ housing improvement agency funding
Deal Town Council - £5,000
Astor Theatre
Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500
Contribution to rural housing
(ii) That the various Cabinet recommendations produced at the end of the sections within the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), and summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1 of the report, be approved as follows:
(b) It was agreed to recommend to Council:
(i) That the General Fund Revenue Budget, the Capital and Special Projects Programmes, the Housing Revenue Account Budget, the Council Tax Resolution and the content of the MTFP be approved;
(ii) That a Council Tax increase of 2.7% for Dover District Council (DDC) purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £4.95 per year and an annual DDC Council Tax of £187.29;
(iii) That it be noted that it is the view of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) (Section 151 Officer) that the budget has been prepared in an appropriate and prudent manner and that, based upon the information available at the time of producing this report, the 2019/20 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2019/20;
(iv) That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the attached budget and MTFP, summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, be approved as follows:
(A) Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2019/20 and the projected outturn for 2018/19;
(B) Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between ... view the full minutes text for item 103