Issue - meetings

This report sets out the Council’s budget proposals for 2023/24.  It also sets out the results of the consultation, scrutiny and equalities processes.  Subject to approval by Cabinet, these will form the basis of the budget to be agreed at the Full Council meeting on 23 February 2023.

The report also sets out the overall financial position facing the Council for the medium term and highlights the significant risks, issues and uncertainties.

Cabinet NOTED the following comments made in advance of considering the main report on the Budget & Council Tax 2023-24:

1.         Councillor Afzal, providing the economic context in which the budget had needed to be developed recognising the impact of a decade of austerity and the detrimental effect on the poorest in society.  As a result, he highlighted the importance in the engagement and consultation process which had been undertaken in seeking to finalise the budget proposals for consideration.

2.         The written representations submitted by Councillor Kennelly, highlighting:

·            Support for the budget proposals given their focus in seeking to protect the most vulnerable against the rising costs of living.

·            The challenging nature of the decisions forced upon the Council as a result of the stance taken and measures introduced by central government, whilst recognising the positive initiatives and support which the budget proposals had been designed to continue supporting such as the Resident Support Fund and strategic goals such as reducing carbon emissions and tackling the climate emergency.

·            The regressive nature of Council Tax as a means of ensuring (particularly as a result of rising costs and demand in relation to adult social care and children’s services) the Council was able to continue supporting and protecting the most vulnerable in society.

3.          Councillor Georgiou who, whilst outlining the regressive nature of Council Tax, also expressed concern at the fairness of the proposed increase in Council Tax given the impact on local residents, particularly those living within Alperton and the surrounding area.  Whilst recognising the macroeconomic context since 2008 and impact of austerity, stemming from the financial crash in 2008 on local government finances, compounded by Brexit and recent central government interventions, concerns were raised about the increases in Council Tax given the reduction in services locally.  Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the impact of the Mayor for London’s precept and change in Government policy to move responsibility for funding Adult Social Care to local authorities, again through Council Tax. Given the concerns expressed Councillor Georgiou felt there was a need for the Council to ensure that funding collected locally was refocussed and prioritised on the local areas of improvement including:

·            The state of roads and pavements – with a call for additional capital investment.

·            Street Cleansing – with concerns highlighted in relation to the new intelligence-led approach to street cleaning.

·            Investment in young people – with concerns highlighted regarding the reduction in funding over the last decade and impact on the most underprivileged young people. The Council were called upon to deliver a new Youth Offer that would dedicate funding to youth services in Brent.

4.         Councillor Conneely, as Chair of the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee and Budget Scrutiny Task Group,  summarising the main recommendations from the Task Group in relation to the budget process. In introducing the report, Councillor Conneely highlighted that the Task Group in undertaking their review had recognised the challenging financial environment in which the Council was operating given the long-term reduction in  ...  view the full decision text for item 7

Prior to consideration of the main report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) advised that he had agreed to a number of requests from councillors to speak in relation to the budget report and proposals, with the comments received as follows.

As the first speaker, Councillor Afzal began by highlighting the need to recognise the challenging economic context in which the budget had been developed, with specific reference to the cumulative detrimental impacts arising from a decade of Government austerity affecting the poorest in society.  As a result, he highlighted the importance in the engagement and consultation process which had been undertaken in seeking to finalise the budget proposals for consideration.

The Leader advised he had also received written representations from Councillor Kennelly, who in expressing support for the budget proposals, highlighted:

·             The need to recognise their focus in seeking to protect the most vulnerable against the rising costs of living.

·             The challenging nature of the decisions forced upon the Council as a result of the stance taken and financial measures introduced by central government.  Whilst recognising these challenges he also felt it important to commend the positive initiatives and support which the budget proposals had been designed to continue protecting such as the Resident Support Fund and strategic goals such as reducing carbon emissions and tackling the climate emergency.

·             The regressive nature of Council Tax as a means of ensuring (particularly as a result of rising costs and demand in relation to adult social care and children’s services) the Council was able to continue supporting and protecting the most vulnerable in society.

Councillor Georgiou, was then invited to speak who, whilst outlining the regressive nature of Council Tax, also expressed concern at the fairness of the proposed increase in Council Tax recommended within the budget proposals given the impact on local residents, particularly those living within Alperton and the surrounding area.  Whilst recognising the challenging economic context and impact of austerity, stemming from the 2008 financial crash on local government finances, compounded by Brexit and recent central government fiscal interventions, concerns were raised about the proposed increase in Council Tax when compared to reductions in services locally.  Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the impact of the Mayor for London’s precept and change in Government policy to move responsibility for funding Adult Social Care to local authorities, again through Council Tax.  Given the concerns highlighted, Councillor Georgiou felt there was a need for the Council to ensure that funding collected locally was refocussed and prioritised on local areas of improvement, including:

·             The state of roads and pavements – with a call for additional capital investment.

·             Street Cleansing – with concerns highlighted in relation to the new intelligence-led approach to street cleaning.

·             Investment in young people – with concerns highlighted regarding the reduction in funding over the last decade on youth services and impact on the most underprivileged young people, which it was required the development of a new Youth Offer that would dedicate funding to youth services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7