Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources proposed the recommendation with an amendment that members do not receive this year’s cost of living increase for Members Allowance for 2021/22 and that this be frozen until April 2022, this was seconded by the Leader. 

In presenting the budget, the Executive Member for Corporate Resources thanked officers for their preparation of the budget and the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for their work and input into the budget proposals.

The Leader of the Opposition (Cllr Bullivant) outlined his comments on an alternative budget and stated that they would be abstaining from voting on the budget.

The Leader stated that the Council faced budget challenges in the coming year and this budget supported the administrations priorities of Housing, Jobs and Climate Change. 

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014the vote was recorded (see voting report).

RESOLVED that:-

(1)           The Teignbridge band D council tax for 2021/22 be increased by 2.85% or £5 to £180.17 per annum;

(2)           General reserves be increased to 13.0% of the net revenue budget for 2021/22 or just under £2.0 million;

(3)           £100,000 of the general reserve balance in any one year continues to be available to the Executive to meet unexpected expenditure in addition to the agreed revenue budget;

(4)           All other decisions with regard to budgetary change will be approved by reference to virement rules in the financial instructions;

(5)           The summary revenue budget for 2021/22 be £15.3 million as shown at appendix 4. In particular the revenue budget includes:

· Assumptions of a 1.5% pay from 1 April 2021

· Revenue contributions to fund capital are suspended in the medium term to protect the revenue budget

· Rural aid is suspended in 2020/21 and 2021/22

· The councillors community fund grant is maintained at £1,000 each;

(6)           Fees and charges be approved as shown summarised at appendix 6. This includes an increase in parking income of £94,000 from last years base budget;

(7)           The capital programme as shown at appendix 7 be approved. In particular this includes:

· Increasing jobs and homes through continuing support for housing whilst backing business and encouraging community-led planning. Work has begun on the Teignbridge 100 affordable housing project at two sites in Newton Abbot. A rented programme across urban and rural sites will be delivered over the next 3 years.

· Increased investment for climate change projects, including grant bids for low carbon heating and energy system improvements at leisure sites and further provisions the Carbon Action Plan.

· Infrastructure delivery plan investment contributing to improving education, transport links, sports and open spaces Regeneration investment, including two hotels in Teignmouth and Newton Abbot funded mainly from prudential borrowing. The Council recently received an in-principle funding offer from the Government Future High Street Fund for grant of £9.2 million aimed at improving town centres. This will have a positive impact on Newton Abbot and the wider Teignbridge economy. Cofunding includes CIL, grant from other sources and prudential borrowing. There is also a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the report to consider the final financial plan proposals 2021/22 to 2023/24 for recommendation to Council on 22 February. These proposals included recommended revenue and capital budgets for 2021/22 and planned in outline for 2022/23 and 2023/24. He advised of the budget gap for 2022/23 of £1.2 m and 23/24 of £2.6m and thanked all staff for their work in reaching a balanced budget.

The Chief Finance Officer advised that the final settlement for 2021/22 was the same as the provisional settlement which the Council had been notified of in December. He reported on the medium term financial position and the significant budget gaps for 2022/23 and 2023/24 amounting to £3.8m.

The Leader thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Town and Parish Councils for their contributions in the budget setting process. The Council had no choice but to increase council tax by £5 to ensure a balanced budget and to continue to provide services to the residents of Teignbridge.

RECOMMENDED thatCouncil:-

(1)            Approve the final budget for 2021/22 and the outline plan for the subsequent years 2022/23 and 2023/24;

(2)             Note the mid-year review of Treasury Management shown at appendix 8.

The vote was unanimous.