Agenda item

To consider the report of the Strategic Director (Finance and Housing) (to follow).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Digital and Climate Change

(a)   It was agreed:

(i) That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s endorsement of CAB 86, made at its meeting held on 20 February 2023 (Minute No 84), be acknowledged.

(ii) That, subject to Council approving the 2023/24 budget, the grants to other organisations, as set out in Annex 9, be approved as follows:

Grants to Concessionary Rentals 2023/24 ­­- £30,005

Various grants towards rentals/lease charges:

Sandwich Tennis Club - £50

Aylesham Parish Council - £75

Dover Bowling Club - £225

Victoria Park Bowling Club - £225

Deal & Walmer Angling Club - £325

Capel-le-Ferne Parish Council - £450

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,225

Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,750

Dover Athletic Football Club - £2,500

Dover Athletic Football Club - £8,000

Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £11,800

Cross Links - £3,250

Financial Assistance Payments to Other Outside Bodies:

Your Leisure - £110,390

(Budget for Tides Leisure Centre, increased by 10%)

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 - £19,552

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 the Winter Shelter costs

Dover Rugby Club - £12,600

For grounds maintenance at Crabble Athletic Ground

Victoria Bowls - £1,000

Contribution towards running expenses

Dover Bowling Club - £1,000

Grant towards grounds maintenance at Dover Bowling Green

Dover Citizens’ Advice Bureau - £107,000

£97,000 core funding grant including £10,000 from Housing Revenue Account, plus £8,500 full service charge contribution and £1,500 for other potential services

Neighbourhood Forums - £22,500

Grant to support voluntary and community organisations

Deal Town Council - £5,000

Astor Theatre grant

Action with Communities in Rural Kent - £3,500

Contribution to rural housing

(iii) 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. 

(b)   It was agreed that it be recommended 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 the Strategic Director (Finance and Housing), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance, Digital and Climate Change, be authorised to draw on the Earmarked Smoothing Reserve to meet in-year variations in the budget.

(iii)            That a Council Tax increase of 2.98% for Dover District Council purposes be approved, resulting in an increase on Band D properties of £6.03 per year and an annual Dover District Council Council Tax of £208.17.

(iv)            That it be noted that it is the view of the Strategic Director (Finance and Housing) (Section 151 Officer) that, having due regard to the circumstances and the range of uncertainties, the budget has been prepared in an appropriate and prudent manner and that, as far as can be determined, and based upon the information available at the time of producing the report, the estimates are robust and the Council’s financial reserves are adequate for its spending plans in 2023/24.

(v)             That the various Council recommendations at the end of the sections within the budget and MTFP, and summarised in Annex 10 to Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.