Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Faulkner (A) and Stringer.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Monitoring Officer reminded members of the dispensations granted to all members in respect of members interests in relation to the setting of the council tax and matters relating to Council controlled companies where members were appointed as unpaid directors by the Council. 

The following non pecuniary interests were declared:

To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Revenue Budget Proposals for 2014/15 (appendices attached in items 3a to 3??).

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 6 February 2014, members considered the recommendations of the Mayor in relation to the Revenue Budget 2014/15, the review of reserves, the Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan and the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in the submitted report. 

The Chairman advised that the Government had written to all councils outlining an expectation to hold recorded votes at budget meetings.  The intention was to enable greater transparency on members’ voting on budget decisions.  Forthcoming legislation would make this mandatory, but to meet the Government’s expectations, the Chairman stated he would be requiring a recorded vote on the budget, including amendments.

The Chairman also reported that a revised officer recommendation had been tabled in respect of paragraph 2.1(d) of the submitted report.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Thomas (D):

(i)         That it be recommended to Council:

(a)          that the revenue budget for 2014/15 (paragraph 4.6 of the submitted report) and the associated fees and charges be approved;

http://www.torbay.gov.uk/index/yourcouncil/financialservices/budget/budget1415.htm

(b)          that the equality impact assessments and details of the consultation and feedback as shown in agenda item 3b included within this agenda are considered by Members when reaching their final decision;

(c)          that an earmarked contingency of £2m be created specifically to mitigate against any budget pressures that may arise within Children’s Services Safeguarding and Wellbeing;

(d)       that the spending reductions proposed for 2015/16 be agreed to form the basis of the 2015/16 budget save for those which still require consultation and which will be presented to Council in September 2014 for decision;

(e)       that the final notified Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the nationally laid down Schools Financial Regulations (paragraph 6.1(a) of the submitted report) and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed;

(f)        that the Members’ Allowances Scheme be implemented in 2014/2015 in accordance with the decision of the Council at its meeting on 1 February 2012 subject to the annual local government pay percentage increase (paragraph 6.1 (b) of the submitted report);

(g)        that the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Finance be authorised to approve expenditure from the Comprehensive Spending Review Reserve;

(h)       that in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, to consider and note 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 (sections 8 and 9 of the submitted report);

(i)         that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Finance,  be authorised to make adjustments to and introduce new fees and charges within the budget during 2014/15 if it is in the best interest for the Council;

(j)         that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, Executive Lead Member for Finance  and appropriate officers, be authorised to determine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.