Issue - meetings

6.1      Budget & Council Tax 2023-24

This report sets out the Council’s budget proposals for 2023/24.  It also details the results of the consultation, scrutiny and equalities considerations in relation to the budget proposals.  The report also sets out the overall financial position facing the Council for the medium term and highlights the significant risks, issues and uncertainties.

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were approved by Cabinet on 6 February 2023 for reference on to Council.

6.2      Conservative Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2023-24

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Conservative Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2023-24.

6.3      Liberal Democrats Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2023-24

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Liberal Democrats Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2023-24.

Council RESOLVED to:

(1)      Agree an overall 4.99% increase in the Council’s element of Council Tax for 2023/24, with 2% as a precept for Adult Social Care and a 2.99% general increase.

(2)      Agree the General Fund revenue budget for 2023/24, as summarised in Appendices A and B of the report.

(3)      Agree the savings proposals for 2023/24 and deferral of savings to 2024/25, as set out in Appendix C (i) of the report

(4)      Note the Equalities Impact Assessments on the budget proposals, as set out in Appendices C (ii) and C (iii) of the report.

(5)      Note the report from the Budget Scrutiny Task Group in Appendix D of the report.

(6)      Agree the HRA budget and business plan for 2023/24, as set out in section seven and appendix Q of the report.

(7)      Agree the Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in section eight of the report.

(8)      Agree the changes to the existing Capital Programme in relation to additions of new schemes and reprofiling, as set out in section 10 and Appendix E of the report and note the Capital Pipeline Schemes in Appendix F of the report.

(9)      Agree the Capital Strategy, the Investment Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement as set out in Appendices G, H, I and J of the report.

(10)    Agree the Reserves Strategy and schedule of reserves, as set out in Appendix K of the report.

(11)    Note the action plan to implement CIPFA’s Financial Management Code and conduct a Financial Resilience Assessment, as set out in Appendix L of the report.

(12)    Agree the schedule of fees and charges, as set out in Appendix M of the report.

(13)    Note the results of the budget consultation, as set out in section six and detailed in Appendix N of the report.

(14)    Note the legal advice from the Corporate Director of Governance, as set out in Appendix O of the report.

(15)    Agree the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix P of the report.

Council Tax recommendations

(16)    As a result of confirmation having been received on the final GLA precept in advance of the recommendations being put to the vote at the Council meeting it was agreed in relation to the Council Tax for 2023/24:

          That the following amounts be now calculated as the Council’s element by the Council for the year 2023/24 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended:

(a) £1,061,792,345  being the aggregate of the amount that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act.

(b) £910,992,347     being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c) £150,799,998     being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4)  ...  view the full decision text for item 10

The Mayor then moved on to receive the report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources setting out the Council’s budget proposals for 2023-24.  Included within the report were the results of the budget consultation, scrutiny and equalities processes along with a summary of the overall financial position, risks, issues and uncertainties facing the Council over the medium term.

In accordance with the procedural motion agreed at the start of the meeting, the Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report.

Councillor Muhammed Butt began by thanking members, officers, the public and other stakeholders for their involvement in the consultation and preparation of the budget.  Highlighting that the proposals presented another balanced budget he felt they not only set out a fair and responsible approach but also one that would continue to make a difference for residents across Brent.  This was not only in terms of seeking to protect them from the current challenges arising from the cost of living crisis and Governments approach towards the delivery of public services, but also in terms of the aspirations for continued growth, fairness and opportunity over the coming year and beyond.

Recognising the difficult nature of decisions needing to be made in terms of the budget proposals presented to Council, he felt it important to highlight the ongoing impact of the Government’s programme of austerity and funding restrictions imposed on public services, which he pointed out had resulted in a cumulative impact for Brent totalling approx. £200m worth of cuts.  Despite this context and the challenges identified he felt it important to outline the Administration’s commitment to continue protecting those relying on services provided by the Council’s and most vulnerable in society in order to avoid anyone being left behind as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

In thanking Carolyn Downs, the Corporate Management Team and all officers involved for their leadership and support in development of the budget proposals in such challenging circumstances, Councillor Muhammed Butt outlined the extent of work undertaken to ensure that the proposals presented for consideration had been subject to detailed consideration and consultation and represented a reasoned and rational financial judgement which reflected the careful stewardship of funds, as identified through the independent external audit assessment.  In thanking the Budget Scrutiny Task Group for their input into the process and recommendations made as a result, he compared that to the approach taken by both Opposition Groups, in terms of the presentation of their alternative budget proposals, highlighting the risks identified in terms of seeking to protect the Council’s finances and avoid ending up in similar positions to other authorities who found themselves on the brink of insolvency.

Referring in more detail to the budget proposals set out within the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt was keen to highlight the difference in approach between the Administration and both Opposition Groups in terms of addressing the barriers in seeking to support residents and ensure no one was left behind.  Whilst unwelcome, it had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

6.1     Budget & Council Tax 2022-23

This report sets out the Council’s budget proposals for 2022/23.  It also details the results of the consultation, scrutiny and equalities considerations in relation to the budget proposals.  The report also sets out the overall financial position facing the Council for the medium term and highlights the significant risks, issues and uncertainties.

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were approved by Cabinet on 7 February 2022 for reference on to Council.

(Agenda republished to include a revised version of Appendix P to the main budget report – Pay Policy Statement 2022/23 on 22 February 2022)

6.2     Conservative Group amendments to the Budget & Council Tax proposals 2022-23

To consider the proposed amendments submitted by the Conservative Group in relation to the Council’s budget proposals for 2022-23.

(Agenda republished to include the Conservative Group alternative budget proposals on 22 February 2022)

Council RESOLVED to:

(1)       Agree an overall 2.99% increase in the Council’s element of Council Tax for 2022/23, with 1% as a precept for Adult Social Care and a 1.99% general increase.

(2)       Agree the General Fund revenue budget for 2022/23, as summarised in Appendices A and B of the report.

(3)       Agree the savings proposals for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix C of the report.

(4)       Note the report from the Budget Scrutiny Panel in Appendix D of the report.

(5)       Agree the HRA budget for 2022/23, as set out in section seven of the report.

(6)       Agree the Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in section eight of the report.

(7)       Agree the changes to the existing Capital Programme in relation to additions of new schemes and reprofiling, as set out in section 10 of the report and Appendix E, and note the Capital Pipeline Schemes in Appendix F of the report.

(8)       Agree the Capital Strategy, the Investment Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement as set out in Appendices G, H, I and J of the report.

(9)       Agree the Reserves Strategy and schedule of reserves, as set out in Appendix K of the report.

(10)     Note the action plan to implement CIPFA’s Financial Management Code, as set out in Appendix L of the report.

(11)     Agree the schedule of fees and charges, as set out in Appendix M of the report.

(12)     Note the results of the budget consultation, as set out in section six and detailed in Appendix N of the report.

(13)     Note the advice of the Director of Legal, HR, Audit and Investigations, as set out in Appendix O of the report.

(14)     Agree the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix P of the report.

Council Tax recommendations

(15)     As a result of confirmation having been received on the final GLA precept in advance of the recommendations being put to the vote at the Council meeting it was agreed in relation to the Council Tax for 2022/23:

            That the following amounts be now calculated as the Council’s element by the Council for the year 2022/23 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended:

(a) £1,067,562,055  being the aggregate of the amount that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act.

(b) £927,416,795      being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c) £140,145,260      being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

 (d) £1,419.48           being the amount at (c) above, divided by the amount for the tax base of 98,730, agreed by the General Purposes Committee on the 6 December 2021, calculated by the Council, in accordance with  ...  view the full decision text for item 10

The Mayor then moved on to receive the report from the Director of Finance setting out the Council’s budget proposals for 2022-23.  Included within the report were the results of the budget consultation, scrutiny and equalities processes along with a summary of the overall financial position, risks, issues and uncertainties facing the Council over the medium term.

In accordance with the procedural motion agreed at the start of the meeting, the Mayor invited Councillor M Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce the report.

Councillor M Butt began by thanking members, officers, the public and other stakeholders for their involvement in the consultation and preparation of the budget.  Highlighting that the proposals presented another balanced budget he felt they not only set out a fair and responsible approach but also one that would continue to make a difference for residents across Brent in terms of the aspirations for continued growth and opportunity not only in the coming year but also beyond.

Commenting on the alternative budget proposals presented by the Opposition Group he felt it important to outline the risks identified when compared to the ambitious but responsible budget presented by the Labour Administration, which had been designed to not only provide value for money but also remove the barriers to enable residents to access opportunities and ensure no one was left behind.  Referring to the budget proposals set out within the report, Councillor M.Butt highlighted these included no additional reductions beyond the £2.7m approved as part of the 2021-22 budget, along with an unprecedented level of capital investment made possible as a result of the prudent stewardship and commitment of the Administration, despite the challenges of austerity and the pandemic.  He was also proud of the additional support being provided through the Council Tax Support Scheme and Resident Support Fund which, as a result of the effective management of the Council’s finances, had meant Brent was able to offer one of the most generous packages of support within London for its most vulnerable residents and in order to fill the gaps created as a result of the ongoing funding restrictions being imposed by central government.

In referencing how the budget would support and improve the lives of Brent residents, Councillor M Butt advised of the ambitions included within the budget for the future for Brent residents.  These included:

·             Work to deliver a £15m programme of investment and repairs on Brent’s priority roads and pavements following the winter season with it noted that over 1000 pot holes had already been filled over the last year.

·             Continuing the progress being achieved through delivery of the New Council Homes Programme with over 1000 safe, secure and affordable homes already being delivered and additional funding to tackle homelessness and reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation.

·             A commitment to rebuild and reimagine local neighbourhoods to create safe inviting spaces that were fit for the future and residents across the borough.

·             The roll out of Brent’s innovative Digital Strategy, which would include development of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10