To approve the Council’s Revenue Budget and Capital Investment Plan Budget for 2016/2017 including the setting of fees and charges for Council services, the Council’s Corporate Asset Management Strategy and Capital Strategy.

That the Mayor disagrees with the objection.

To respond to the Council’s objections to the Revenue Budget for 2016/2017.  The Mayor disagrees with the Council’s objection on the grounds that the Council’s Financial Regulations covers the control of revenue expenditure and the budget proposals identify any specific budgeted amount and the relevant budget holder.   The Council has already resolved to review the delivery of the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan which incorporates the Transformation Programme on a six monthly basis. In addition, the Overview and Scrutiny Board are able to monitor performance and progress as required.

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The Mayor’s response to the Council’s objection will be considered at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.

At the adjourned Council meeting on 11 February 2016, the Council formally objected to the Revenue Budget 2016/2017 proposals on the basis that the £600,000 allocated for Investment in Transformation has no clear control mechanisms for how decisions on the allocation of this money will be undertaken.

In accordance with paragraph F2.9 Standing Orders – Budget and Policy Framework, the Council required the Mayor to consider this objection by 10 am on 19 February 2016 and either:

a)         submit a revision of the estimates or amounts as amended by the elected Mayor with the reasons for any amendments made to the estimates or amounts, to the Council for its consideration;  or

b)         inform the Council of any disagreement that the elected Mayor has with any of the Council’s objections and the elected Mayor’s reasons for any such disagreement.

The Mayor has considered the recommendation of the Council and his proposed response is set out above.

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