Decision details

In response to a Member’s question regarding progress on the national review of Business Rates, the Leader commented that this may be included in a Government statement on Local Government finances to be given on 11 March 2020.

The Leader asked Officers to investigate the following matters:

·           Council Garages – in view of below target income projected for 2019/20, enhanced advertising/marketing of the service be undertaken, and the introduction of innovations such as choice based lettings for garages, be implemented as soon as possible; and

·           Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) – to explore options with SLL to reduce the level of management fee, with a view to SBC gaining similar advantages to the other local authority customers currently served by SLL.

It was RESOLVED that the following proposals be recommended to Council on 26 February 2020:

1.         That the 2019/20 revised net expenditure on the General Fund of £9,678,680 be approved.

2.         That a draft General Fund Budget for 2020/21 of £9,069,830 be proposed for consultation purposes, with a contribution from balances of £349,030 and a Band D Council Tax of £215.57 (assuming a 2.37% increase).

3.         That the updated position on the General Fund and the Risk Assessment of General Fund balances, be approved.

4.         That a minimum level of General Fund reserves of £2,920,935, in line with the 2020/21 risk assessment of balances be approved.

5.         That the contingency sum of £400,000, within which the Executive can approve supplementary estimates, be approved for 2020/21 (unchanged from 2019/20).

6.         That the 2020/21 proposed Financial Security Options of £846,964 and including fees and charges of £117,490 be included in the final budget.

7.         That 2020/21 business rate gains totalling £1.14Million above the baseline need be allocated as set out in Paragraph 4.6.7 of the report.

8.         That the 2020/21 Council Tax Support scheme be approved, as set out in Section 4.8 of the report.

9.         That New Homes Bonus of £30,380 be transferred to the reserve to fund future potential shortfalls in funding (Paragraph 4.4.4 refers).

10.      That the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.