Agenda item

Report attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources submitted a report setting out proposals for the 2016/17 General Fund Revenue Budget.  The report also provided an overview of key issues which had arisen from the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  The decision to set the Budget would be a key decision of the Council and the role of the Cabinet was to recommend a proposed Budget to Council.  The 2016/17 Revenue Budget required a net expenditure of £11,283,000 and under the budget proposals, Council Tax for Hyndburn residents would not rise for Hyndburn Council provided services.  Altham Parish Council had issued a separate precept requirement for its activities.  The following information was attached to the report:-

Appendix 1  -  Initial Outline Budget 2016/17

Appendix 2  -  Revenue Budget 2016/17

Appendix 3  -  Saving Proposals 2016/17

Appendix 4  -  Hyndburn Borough Council Tax Increase 2016/17 by Property Band

Appendix 5  -  Overall Change in Council Tax 2016/17

Appendix 6  -  Altham Parish Precept 2016/17 by Property Valuation Band

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The recommendations in the report provided an appropriate platform on which the Cabinet could recommend a Budget for the Council which met the objectives and key priorities of the people of Hyndburn.

Alternative Options Considered and Reasons for Rejection

A wide number of individual proposals had been put forward to produce a Balanced Budget.  Options had been rejected on a variety of grounds including policy objectives, practicalities and the potential for additional costs to be incurred.  Further options might be presented at the Council meeting on 25^th February 2016.

Resolved                            (1)  That it be proposed that Council Tax for 2016/17 should not be increased;  the Budget for 2016/17 would therefore be £11,283,000 as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;

                                (2)  That it be recommended that the list of savings for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, be approved;

                                (3)  That the significant improvements made in relation to budget monitoring and cost reduction within the Authority over the past 12 years be noted and the commitment to continuing that approach in the year ahead be confirmed;

                                (4)  That it be recommended that during the financial year 2016/17, the Deputy Chief Executive be delegated responsibility to amend the Budget (following consultation with the Leader of the Council) for technical reasons, such as the restructuring of cost centres, the re-apportionment and re-allocation of overheads, etc., provided such amendments had an overall neutral impact on the Budget;

                                (5)  That to aid future financial management planning, any surpluses generated during 2016/17 be set aside to help the Council to reduce its cost base over the next three years;  and,

                                (6)  That it be recommended that the New Homes Bonus and any additional non-specific funding from the Government, as well as any further surplus on the Collection Fund, can be used if required to support Capital expenditure as determined by the Deputy Chief Executive in the overall financing of capital expenditure or be transferred to Reserves.

The following item was submitted as urgent business with the Chair’s agreement in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the reason being to ensure the latest up to date information was included in the report