Agenda item

Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2017, considered the report of the head of finance on the draft revenue budget 2017/18, and the capital programme to 2021/22.

Cabinet resolved to agree that the Cabinet member for finance, in conjunction with the head of finance, may make minor adjustments to the report and prudential indicators should they prove necessary prior to submission to Council. Any adjustments will be reported to Council.

The report of the head of finance, considered by the Cabinet on 3 February 2017, is attached. 

The Scrutiny Committee will consider this report at its meeting on 7 February 2017. Any views or recommendations will be reported to Council.

RECOMMENDATION: to

1.         set the revenue budget for 2017/18 as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2017;

2.         approve the capital programme for 2017/18 to 2021/22 as set out in appendix D.1 to the head of finance’s report, together with the capital growth bids set out in appendix D.2 of the head of finance’s report;

3.         set the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the head of finance’s report; and

4.         approve the medium term financial plan to 2021/22 as set out in appendix F.1 to the head of finance’s report. 

The Chairman referred to regulations that require councils to record the names of those councillors voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the budget, including amendments, and the council tax. In accordance with the regulations he would call for a named vote on each of these matters at this meeting.

The Chairman reminded councillors that they were not entitled to vote on any issue affecting the level or administration of the council tax or other decisions which might affect the making of any such calculation such as the budget, if they were over two months in arrears with their council tax payments. Where such circumstances applied, councillors were under a statutory obligation to disclose the restriction placed on them and refrain from voting at the relevant meeting. No councillor made any such declaration.

Appendix E, setting out the prudential indicators, was circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.  Council noted the report of the chief finance officer, appendix G to the budget report, on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves.

Councillor Barber moved and Councillor Cox seconded a motion to approve Cabinet’s recommendations as follows:

That Council:

1.         sets the revenue budget for 2017/18 as set out in the appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2017;

2.         approves the capital programme for 2017/18 to 2021/22 as set out in appendix D.1 to the head of finance’s report, together with the capital growth bids set out in appendix D.2 of the head of finance’s report;

3.         sets the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the head of finance’s report;

4.         approves the medium term financial plan to 2021/22 as set out in appendix F.1 to the head of finance’s report.

Councillor Roberts moved and Councillor Smith seconded an amendment to the above budget to provide for a grant fund of £100,000 for Children’s Centres   and £3,000 to pay for officer time to administer the grants.

Those councillors who spoke in support of the amendment expressed concern about the impact on local families and communities when Oxfordshire County Council ceases the provision of universal children’s services on 1 March 2017. The children’s centres in Botley, Abingdon, Grove and The Hanneys, Faringdon, Southmoor and Wantage provide essential wellbeing services to children under five and their families. They noted the efforts of both parents and the community groups working to find alternative ways of providing universal services for families. They expressed the view that Vale of White Horse District Council is in a position to help fund the set up costs for these projects in the coming year via the existing grants scheme following the same procedure as the New Homes Bonus and Community Capital Funds and therefore supported the inclusion of the additional funds to support these valuable organisations. A number of town and parish councils had committed funds to support their local Children’s Centres.

Those councillors who spoke against the amendment stated that Oxfordshire County Council did not wish to see Children’s Centres close and there may be additional funding. The view was expressed that the centres could access the existing grant schemes for funding and that, if required, additional funding could be found. Oxfordshire County Council will continue to comply with its statutory duty to provide early intervention services.

The Chairman called for a recorded vote on the amendment which was

lost with the votes recorded as follows:

Councillors supporting the Cabinet’s revenue and capital budget proposals supported the view that the council continued to manage its financial matters sensibly while maintaining services and continuing its capital programme. They supported budgetary provision for a new leisure centre to serve Wantage and Grove, and the replacement of the outdoor swimming pool in Abingdon and to carry out a deep cleanse of the district. The continued reduction in funding from government necessitated an increase in council tax to maintain services for residents.

A number of councillors expressed concern regarding the level of savings from the Corporate Services Contracts.

The Chairman called for a recorded vote on the budget which was carried with the votes recorded as follows:

RESOLVED: to

1.         set the revenue budget for 2017/18 as set out in the appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2017;

2.         approve the capital programme for 2017/18 to 2021/22 as set out in appendix D.1 to the head of finance’s report, together with the capital growth bids set out in appendix D.2 of the head of finance’s report;

3.         set the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the head of finance’s report;

4.         approve the medium term financial plan to 2021/22 as set out in appendix F.1 to the head of finance’s report.