Issue - meetings

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Finance and Commercial Services on the proposed revenue estimates and level of Council Tax for 2010/11.

The Corporate Director advised that the proposals represent a prudent and balanced approach to the need to overcome pressures on the budget, replenish reserves and invest in key services while at the same time setting a budget that is both deliverable and sustainable.  The budget for 2010/11 has been set within the context of the Council Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources commented that the proposals form a strong basis for meeting the increasingly difficult decisions that the Council will face as a result of the pressures on public sector finance now and in the years to come.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve all of its Community Priorities through the setting of a prudent budget and Council Tax, to:

  (i)  Recommend the Assembly to approve:

a)  A Council Tax increase of 0% for 2010/11, representing a freeze in Council Tax levels for the 2nd year in succession, as set out at Appendices A and B to the report;

b)  The budget options and budget as set out at Appendices C, D and E to the report;

c)  The position on Reserves as set out in paragraph 2.6 of the report.

  (ii)  Note the continuing need to identify relevant efficiency gains throughout the organisation; and

  (iii)  Authorise the Corporate Director of Finance and Commercial Services to allocate initial savings targets across all services for the 2011/2012 budget process, to commence in April 2010.