Issue - meetings

Committee considered a report in relation to the Council’s proposed budget for 2020/21 for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme, as part of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan covering the years 2020/21 to 2023/24.  Any comments expressed by Budget Scrutiny Committee regarding the proposed budgets would be reported verbally to the Executive.

To accompany the reports, the Head of Finance & Resources provided a slide presentation to the meeting which highlighted the following;

1) Revenue and Capital expenditure

2) General Fund (GF) expenditure and income

3) Housing Revenue Account (HRA) expenditure and income

4) Council Tax implications

5) Proposed HRA dwelling rents

6) Capital Programme

7) Government Funding

8) NNDR Growth Protection Reserve

In response to a Member’s question regarding the monetary impact on a Council tenant due to the proposed increase in Council housing rent and Council Tax Band D, the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Resources suggested that would be around £2 per week. However, the Head of Finance & Resources could provide more accurate figures to Members if requested.

In response to a Member’s question regarding the figure under IT Schemes, the Head of Finance & Resources replied that this was in relation to a new Housing Rents IT system that would be purchased.

A Member queried the increase in figures for Leisure Schemes and Vehicle and Plant.  The Head of Finance & Resources replied that the increase for Leisure was the 5 year replacement of gym equipment and Vehicle and Plant was the 7 year replacement of refuse lorries.

In response to a Member’s question, the Head of Finance & Resources advised the meeting that the increase in Council Tax on Band A to Band C properties was dependent on the increase on a Band D property.  In terms of money, the 25% reduction in Council Tax for single people would be dependent on the Band of the property they lived in.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Tom Munro

RESOLVED that the report be noted.