Decision details

The Cabinet will be presented with a progress report on the budget setting process for 2021/22 and beyond and asked to consider appropriate proposals that would assist the Council in setting a balanced budget.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note the continued commitment to delivering the savings proposed in the MTFS reports approved by Assembly in February 2017 and updated in subsequent years;

(ii)  Agree the proposed consultation process for the budget, as set out in section 9 of the report;

(iii)  Agree to consult the residents and taxpayers of the borough on the levying of a 2% General Council Tax increase and a 1% Social Care Precept to support the Borough’s most vulnerable residents, subject to those thresholds being confirmed;

(iv)  Note that London authorities were currently exploring the possibility of continuing the business rates pooling arrangement and approve, in principle, that the Council should continue to participate in such an arrangement if deemed appropriate; and

(v)  Delegate authority to the Finance Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services, to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding for any future London pooling arrangements.