Agenda item

Recommendation

It is recommended to the Council, to:

1.            agree a £5 increase in Waverley’s Band D Council Tax Charge for 2022/23 with resultant increases to the other council tax bands;

2.            agree to continue the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme at the current levels;

3.            agree to extend Waverley’s council tax hardship fund to help those council taxpayers most financially affected by the pandemic, as set out in this report, with the final scheme details and criteria delegated to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Finance Portfolio Holder;

4.            agree to make no change to Fees and Charges for 2022/23 except for those proposed in Annexe 4, including the new approach for planning pre-application fees;

5.            approve the General Fund Budget for 2022/23 as summarised in Annexe 2, incorporating the baseline net service cost variations included at Annexe 1 and Annexe 3;

6.            approve the General Fund Capital Programme as detailed in Annexe 5; and

7.            approve the specific use of reserves to mitigate the Covid-19 uncertainty and other emerging economic risks including inflation; the estimated expected reduction in Retained Business Rates and New Homes Bonus funding over the Medium-Term Finance Plan period, and the other reserve movements as set out in Annexe 6.

89.1    The Leader of the Council introduced the General Fund Budget 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 – 2024/25, which was the third budget being presented in the light of Covid-19, the consequences of which would be felt for years to come.  The budget was presented in the context of rising inflation, rising energy prices and a rise in National Insurance contributions.  A £5 increase to a Band D property was proposed, which equated to 2.6% increase in Council Tax.  This rise would allow the Council to balance the budget for the coming year, whilst maintaining services and support for the voluntary sector.  Some fees would increase to reflect the actual cost to the Council of providing the services.  In recognition of the impact on residents, it was proposed that the Council Tax Hardship Fund be extended, and the Council Tax Support Scheme be maintained at the current level.

89.2    The Leader invited the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Merryweather, to present the detailed budget proposals. Councillor Merryweather’s speech is annexed to these minutes.

89.3    Councillor Mulliner, Leader of the Principal Opposition Group, addressed the meeting, thanking the officers involved for the significant amount of work in a challenging national financial position.  For the reasons already outlined, he felt that the 2022/23 budget was uncontroversial and made the following comments:

·         The Budget Strategy Working Group had identified that car parking charges was one of the few areas which the Council had a degree of control; and that the Voluntary Sector grants were important and should not be reduced.

·         The Group was sceptical over the collaboration with Guildford Borough Council.  It was felt that the timing of the collaboration was inappropriate in light of the paring back of local government finances; there was concern over speed by which the collaboration was entered into and the lack of careful consideration and scrutiny.  Guildford had taken a direct service approach, whereas Waverley had taken an outsourcing approach. If a joint approach was taken as contracts come up for renewal, this could incur additional costs.  Finally, there were concerns over the small amount of savings predicted, which amounted to less than 2% of combined annual expenditure.

·         The detailed breakdown of voluntary sector grants had been sent to all Councillors and it was noted that some Councillors were not happy with some of the allocations.  He sought clarification on the ability of the Council to amend the allocations.

·         In conclusion he thanked Councillor Merryweather and officers, and highlighted the need for close scrutiny of the collaboration project.

89.4    The Mayor opened up the debate, and the following Members spoke: Councillors Goodridge, Peter Martin, Nicholson, Ellis, Hyman, Gale, Liz Townsend, Cockburn, Baker, Mirylees, Michaela Martin. 

89.5    As a point of personal explanation, Councillor Jenny Else clarified her role in the process for allocating the Thriving Communities Fund.

89.6    As a point of personal explanation, Councillor Mulliner felt that it was not clear which Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be looking at the Thriving Communities Fund and asked that this be clarified. 

89.7    The Leader and Councillor Merryweather responded to some of the points raised in the debate.  The Strategic Director (s151 Officer) clarified provided clarification on the Covid Outbreak Management Fund.  In concluding the debate, the Leader thanked all those who had spoken for their contributions and formally moved the recommendations in the report, which were seconded by Councillor Clark.

89.8    In accordance with Procedure Rule 17.4, the Mayor called for a recorded vote on the recommendations.

89.9    The vote was carried, with votes in favour 34, 0 against and 11 abstentions.

RESOLVED that

1.            a £5 increase in Waverley’s Band D Council Tax Charge for 2022/23 with resultant increases to the other council tax bands be agreed;

2.            the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme be continued at the current levels;

3.            Waverley’s council tax hardship fund be extended to help those council taxpayers most financially affected by the pandemic, as set out in this report, with the final scheme details and criteria delegated to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Finance Portfolio Holder;

4.            no change be made to Fees and Charges for 2022/23 except for those proposed in Annexe 4, including the new approach for planning pre-application fees;

5.            the General Fund Budget for 2022/23 as summarised in Annexe 2, incorporating the baseline net service cost variations included at Annexe 1 and Annexe 3 be approved;

6.            the General Fund Capital Programme as detailed in Annexe 5 be approved; and

7.            the specific use of reserves to mitigate the Covid-19 uncertainty and other emerging economic risks including inflation; the estimated expected reduction in Retained Business Rates and New Homes Bonus funding over the Medium-Term Finance Plan period, and the other reserve movements as set out in Annexe 6 be approved.

For (34)

Councillors Baker, Beaman, Blishen, Clark, D’Arcy, Follows, Foryszewski, Gale, Heagin, Henry, Hesse, Hunt, Hyman, James, Keen, MacLeod, Penny Marriott, Peter Marriott, Michaela Martin, Merryweather, Mirylees, Mulliner, Neale, Nicholson, Palmer, Reed, the Mayor Councillor Robini, Seaborne, Liz Townsend, Philip Townsend, the Deputy Mayor Councillor Ward, Wicks, Williams and Wilson.

Against (0)

Abstentions (11)

Councillors Cockburn, Cosser, Deanus, Dear, Ellis, Jenny Else, Goodridge, Howard, Knowles, Peter Martin and Potts

At 9.15pm the Mayor adjourned the meeting for a short comfort break. 

At 9.23pm the Mayor resumed the meeting and in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 moved the motion to continue the meeting beyond 10pm.

RESOLVED that the meeting continue beyond the normal finish time of 10pm.