To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Revenue Budget proposals for 2020/2021 and the Chief Finance Officer’s Report.  Circulated separately to this report are the following documents:

·         Cabinet response to consultation

·         Revenue Budget Digest 2020/2021

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2020/2021 (including Equality Impact Assessments)

·         Fees and Charges 2020/2021

·         Review of Reserves 2020/2021

The Revenue Budget Digest 2020/2021, Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2020/2021 (including Equality Impact Assessments) and Fees and Charges 2020/2021 can be found at: www.torbay.gov.uk/council/finance/budget/budget-202021/

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 6 February 2020, Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2020/21 as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents. 

In accordance with legislation, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and the objections.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion as set out below:

i)       that the proposals identified for efficiencies, service change and income generation in 2020/21 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/13791/cabinets-response-to-consultation.pdf);

ii)      that the net revenue expenditure of £115.868m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £72.328m for 2020/21 (a 3.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

iii)     that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the Schools Financial Regulations and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed and this delegation is included in the next revision of the Council’s constitution;

iv)     that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2020/21 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/13797/fees-and-charges.pdf);

v)      that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves (as set out in the report) be noted;  and

vi)     that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept of £0.336m for 2020/21 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that seven notice of motions to object to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals had been received in accordance with Standing Order A13.4 and would be considered in the order that they were received.

Councillor Chris Lewis proposed and Councillor Sykes seconded an objection to the motion as follows:

that the Council formally objects to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals on the basis the Cabinet’s draft Community and Corporate Plan has a commitment to becoming the UK’s premier tourist resort, whereas the budget proposals see a reduction in the amount of public toilet facilities at Preston Beach, Goodrington South and Corbyn Head.  It is ridiculous and irresponsible to assume that a single cubicle at Goodrington South can cope with the amount of visitors to the beach that the whole block used to deal with. In addition Preston is expected to lose more than 20 toilet units and rely on a single block comprising 4 or 5 units. As such this proposal is considered to be contrary to the desire to become the UK’s premier tourist resort, and consequently Council believe that the provision should be maintained at Preston and Goodrington South.

In accordance with the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Cabinet to consider this objection by 20 February 2020 either:

a)         submit a revision of the estimates or amounts as amended by the Cabinet with the reasons  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112