Issue - decisions

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 Government funding, level of savings already achieved, current economic challenges and increasing complexity of demand for Council services.  Taking these issues into account the Budget Scrutiny Task Group had been impressed with the Council’s attempts to focus investment on the most vulnerable, particularly in relation to the Resident and Council Tax Support Fund and in seeking to address housing demand and reduce the use of temporary accommodation.  Highlighting the recommendations made as a result of their review, the Task Group had:

·            Been keen to ensure that the budget proposals were clearly presented with clarity provided regarding cuts and investment proposals.

·            Emphasised the importance of ensuring a holistic approach to residents care including ensuing that an effective collaborative mechanism was established between the Council, NHS and other relevant stakeholders to agree patient discharge/step down plans and to leverage sufficient financial contributions from the NHS and other stakeholders to improve the Health and Social Care function in Brent in order to avoid the main cost burden falling on the Council. 

·            Supported the need to seek additional funding in order to support Brent Schools through the Dedicated Schools Grant

·            Supported the need for additional investment in highways infrastructure and to further explore the development of income generation opportunities as a means of supporting strategic priorities.

·            Recognised the importance of the ongoing support for the Council Tax Support Scheme, given the support being provided for those most vulnerable in society and lack of alternative viable options to raising Council Tax as a means of addressing the current financial pressures and challenges on the Council.

In concluding, Councillor Conneely advised that the Task Group had also been keen to ensure the budget proposals clearly set out how the spending proposals were aligned with agreed strategic priorities for the borough and to support the need for continuing lobbying for Local Government funding reforms, including the regressive nature of Council Tax. On this basis the recommendations made by the Budget Scrutiny Task Group were commended to Cabinet for consideration as part of the budget setting process.

Having noted the comments provided, and welcoming and supporting the approach taken and recommendations made by the Budget Scrutiny Task Group, Cabinet RESOLVED:

1)             To agree to recommend to Full Council 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)             To agree to recommend to Full Council the General Fund revenue budget for 2023/24, as summarised in Appendices A and B of the report.

3)             To agree to recommend to Full Council the savings proposals for 2023/24 and deferral of savings to 2024/25 as set out in Appendix C (i) of the report.

4)             To note the report from the Budget Scrutiny Task Group in Appendix D of the report.

5)             To agree to recommend to Full Council the HRA budget for 2023/24 and business plan, as set out in section seven and Appendix Q of the report.

6)             To agree the HRA rents for council dwellings, tenant service charges and garages, as set out in section seven of the report.

7)             To agree the rents set under the Housing General Fund for Brent Housing PFI and traveller’s site pitches and to note the rents for Hillside dwellings as set out in section seven of the report.

8)             To note the Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in section eight of the report.

9)             To agree to recommend to Full Council 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.

10)         To agree to recommend to Full Council 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.

11)         To agree to recommend to Full Council the Reserves Strategy and schedule of reserves, as set out in Appendix K of the report.

12)         To agree 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.

13)         To agree, and where relevant agree to recommend to Full Council, the schedule of fees and charges for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix M report.

14)         To note the results of the budget consultation, as set out in section six and detailed in Appendix N of the report.

15)         To note the advice of the Corporate Director of Governance, as set out in Appendix O of the report.

16)         To note the decision of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to continue as part of the Eight Authority Business Rates pool in 2023/24 as set out in Section five of the report.

To also note and approve the specific recommendations identified for consideration by Full Council as detailed in section 2.17 – 2.36 of the report.