Agenda item

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 reserves as set out at Annex 4 of the report;

 

(C)  Approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2020/21 and the projected outturn for 2019/20 at Annex 5 of the report;

 

(D)  Approve the Capital and Special Revenue Projects Programmes;

 

(E)  Approve that the capital resources required to finance new projects are secured before new projects commence;

 

(F)  Approve the Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies, including the Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision statement as set out at Annexes 7A, &B and 7C of the report;

 

(G)Approve the Council Tax Resolution as set out at Annex 8A of the report;

 

(H)  That it be noted that, if the formal Council Tax Resolution at Annex 8A of the report is approved, the total Band D Council Tax will be as set out at Annex 10 of the report.