Issue - meetings

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

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) presented the Revised 2020/21 General Fund Revenue Budget and Project Programmes report.

The report presented the revised 2020/21 General Fund revenue budget and the updated Capital and Special Project Programmes, which had taken into account the forecast impact of Covid-19, the lockdown period and the on-going impact on the economy.

It was moved by Councillor C A Vinson, duly seconded by Councillor S S Chandler, and

RESOLVED:       That the revised 2020/21 General Fund Revenue Budget and the Capital and Special Projects Programmes be approved, including:

(i)            Forecast increase in the General Fund revenue budget deficit;

(ii)           Reduction in proposed transfers to reserves and the use of Government funding to offset the forecast deficit; and

(iii)          Addition, removal and amendments to projects.

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

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) presented the report on the Approval of Revised 2020/21 General Fund Revenue Budget and Project Programmes.

Members were advised that a strategic approach had been taken to the 2020/21 budget position utilising reserves, balances and a revised project programme to balance the revenue budget and additional projects requested. A full review of the 2021/22 budget would be undertaken and the changes required to deliver a balanced proposal would be incorporated into the budget process to be brought to Cabinet and Council in February and March 2021.

There were a number of uncertainties around the on-going impact of Covid-19 and BREXIT on the budget. The Council needed to meet its duties as well as its aspirations and still deliver a balanced budget. The forecast impact on the General Fund budget was a £4.73 million additional in year pressure.

The Council’s exposure to risks relating to the impact of covid-19 business rates on the retail sector was lower than in other authorities by the significant portion of its business rates that came from the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel. The potential for losses on business rates was also capped under arrangements and the benefits of being a shadow member of the Kent pool.

In respect of the capital projects set out in the budget, Members were advised that these would still be subject to viability reports and the council was not committed to implementing them. The projects had been assessed against a number of criteria including:

·         if the project was already underway

·         whether the project was supported by external funding

·         whether it would contribute towards post-covid recovery (tourism and regeneration)

·         whether it involved external partners

Councillor S H Beer expressed concerns that without evidence of the criteria for selecting the projects, some of the projects chosen appeared to be ‘vanity’ projects rather than projects delivering real benefits for local residents. The example of Sandwich Quayside improvements compared to Tides Leisure Centre works was cited.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that the item had been approved by the Chairman for late inclusion by reason of special circumstances (it should have been included on the agenda at time of publication) under section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was moved by Councillor T A Bond, duly seconded by Councillor S H Beer, and

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

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

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital

It was agreed that the revised General Fund Revenue Budget and the Capital and Special Projects Programmes be approved, including:

(i)             Forecast increase in the General Fund revenue budget deficit;

(ii)            Reduction in proposed transfers to reserves and the use of Government funding to offset the forecast deficit;

(iii)           Addition, removal and amendments to projects.