Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 January 2012 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

The following LEA school governor and children centre positions were noted and treated as declared as a non prejudicial interest by those members indicated:

The following Members of the Board of Brent Housing Partnership were noted and treated as having declared a non prejudicial interest:

The following non-prejudicial interests were declared:

The Mayor announced with great sadness the recent passing, after a period of illness, of Councillor Alec Castle, whose funeral took place on Tuesday 7 February.  He proposed that at the end of his announcements councillors could pay their respects and the Council would stand for a minute’s silence.

The Mayor announced that he was hosting a tour of the Swaminarayan Temple and lunch on 6 March 2012 in support of his charities and there were a few tickets still available.

In accordance with Standing Orders a list of current petitions showing progress on dealing with them had been circulated around the chamber.

Councillor Lorber paid tribute to Councillor Castle and expressed gratitude on behalf of his group for the messages of sympathy he had received.  Councillors John, Colwill, HB Patel and Kataria spoke in respect of Councillor Castle.

The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Councillor Castle and other respected colleagues who had passed away in recent times.

None.

Report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services circulated separately. 

The Council had before it a report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services seeking approval for the 2012/13 revenue and capital budgets and to the Council Tax to be levied.  The report incorporated key information relating to the Council’s current financial position and future projections.  It set out the key decisions members were being asked to make on:

-           the 2012/13 General Fund revenue budget;

-           the 2012/13 Schools Budget;

-           the 2012/13 Housing Revenue Account;

-           the Council’s capital programme for 2012/13 to 2015/16;

-           the Council’s treasury management strategy; and

-           prudential indicators aimed at ensuring the affordability of capital spending and a secure approach to borrowing and investment.

The Leader of the Council addressed the meeting in support of the proposed budget and put forward an amendment to the recommendations which proposed an increase in the budget for ward working.

Councillor Lorber spoke against aspects of the proposed budget and moved an amendment which was circulated around the chamber, which proposed a number of alternatives to the proposed budget.

Councillor Kansagra spoke against aspects of the proposed budget and moved an amendment which proposed two alternatives to the proposed budget.

Councillor Butt referred to the difficult decisions faced by the Council in constructing the budget and of the need to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.   He commended the proposed budget to members.

Councillor Allie was absent from the meeting and so there was no contribution on behalf of the Budget and Finance Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A general debate followed with members commenting on the proposals from the Executive.  Views were expressed in support of the budget by reference to the Council’s transformation programme that had led to improvements in services and reduced spending.  The view was expressed that new approaches to meeting the demand for some services had to be found such as through joint commissioning in order to reduce expenditure.  The Council was having to make severe cuts and so was not able to reallocate resources but was nevertheless looking to improve services.  It was submitted that the budget demonstrated that the Council was meeting the challenges before it and doing its best to protect the most vulnerable residents.

Opposing views were expressed by reference to the need to make use of balances through such difficult times rather than increase them.   It was submitted that the financial difficulties were a result of mismanagement by the previous government.  The freezing of the Council Tax had been made possible by government assistance and services valued by local residents had been closed despite clear opposition being expressed.

The Council voted en bloc on the amendments proposed by Councillor Kansagra which was declared LOST.

The Council voted en bloc on the amendments circulated by Councillor Lorber which was declared LOST.

The Council voted on the amendment in the name of Councillor John which was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED:-

In respect of Section 3

(i)         that the latest forecast for the General Fund outturn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

None.