Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

In accordance with Procedure Rule 18.6 (voting on budget decisions) a recorded vote will be held in respect of this item.

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) introduced the report on the Council Budget 2020/21, Medium-Term Financial Plan 2020/21–2023/24 and 2020/21 Council Tax Setting.

It was moved by Councillor S C Manion, and duly seconded by Councillor T J Bartlett, that the recommendations set out in the report incorporating the recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting held on 24 February 2020 be approved.

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 2.6% 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 £192.24.

(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 2020/21 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2020/21.

(d)     That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the attached budget and MTFP, and summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, are approved as follows:

(i)            Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20.

(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 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20 at Annex 5.

(iv)         Approve the Capital and Special Revenue Projects Programmes.

(v)          Approve that capital resources required to finance new projects are secured before new projects commence.

(vi)         Approve the Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies, including the Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision statement (Annexes 7A, 7B and 7C).

(vii)        Approve the Council Tax Resolution as set out at Annex 8A.

(viii)       Note that if the formal Council Tax Resolution at Annex 8A is approved, the total Band D Council Tax will be as follows:

(ix)         The Council Tax, by band, for the major preceptors will be as follows:

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

(a)  It was agreed:

(i) That, subject to Council approving the 2020/21 budget, the grants to organisations, as set out at Annex 9 of the report, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2020/21 - £38,355

Various grants towards rentals/lease charges

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £100,350

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 savings made in the landscape maintenance contract

Victoria Bowls - £1,000

Contribution to running expenses of the club

Dover Bowling Club - £4,000

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 grant

Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500

Contribution to rural housing

(ii)        That the use of the Property Services (Special Revenue) allocation be approved;

(iii)       That the use of the provision for internal costs to facilitate new projects be approved. 

(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 Medium-Term Financial Plan be approved;

(ii)           That a Council Tax increase of 2.6% 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 £192.24;

(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 2020/21 estimates are robust and the resources are adequate for the Council’s current spending plans in 2020/21;

(iv)          That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan, summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1, be approved as follows:

(A)  Approve the General Fund Revenue budget for 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20;

(B)  Approve the policies and protocols regarding the General Fund balances and earmarked reserves, and transfers between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144