Decision details

This report seeks the Executive's approval for the updated capital programme, the revised budget for 2014/15 and the proposed fees and charges, and revenue budgets for 2015/16.

The capital programme, which has been updated to reflect the slippage in 2013/14 and new schemes that have been added to the programme during the year, now totals £33,176,000 for the years 2014/15 to 2018/19, as set out in Appendix A to this report.

The 2014/15 base revenue budget for Executive and non-Executive services of £13,027,400, was finally approved by the Executive on 10 February 2014.

The revised revenue budget for 2014/15 is £13,009,700, a reduction of £17,700 or 0.1%. The briefing paper contained in the report provides details of the budgets for each of the portfolios, together with an explanation of all of the significant variations in each area.

The Executive reviewed the Council’s finance strategy on 6 October 2014, taking account of significant budget issues and the future level of general government support.

Against this background of uncertainty, the Executive approved strict budget guidelines for 2015/16 and these are also set out in the briefing paper.  The Finance Strategy also recognised the requirement for action to be taken to reduce service expenditure through a range of actions (for example efficient ways of working, savings through procurement and business transformation/value for money reviews and maximising income generating opportunities).

The base revenue budget for 2015/16 is £11,616,200, a decrease of £1,411,200 or -10.8%. The budgets for the individual services are set out in the briefing paper, together with an explanation of the variations.

The existing fees and charges have been reviewed and the proposed fees and charges for 2015/16 are set out in Appendix D to this report.

RESOLVED that the Executive;

(a)       approve the updated capital programme as set out in Appendix A to the report;

(b)       approved the revised revenue budget for 2014/15 and the proposed revenue budget for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix B to the report;

(c)        approved the proposed fees and charges for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix D to the report;

(d)       agree the use of Section 13A to provide a Council Tax discount to flooded properties in accordance with guidance issued by Government as set out in paragraphs 23 – 29 of the report; and

(e)       recommend to Full Council an unchanged Local Council Tax Scheme for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix E.