To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and a report on the budget proposals for 2024/2025.

Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2024/2025, Fees and Charges for 2024/25, Capital Strategy 2024/2025, Capital Investment Plan 2024/2025 and Treasury Management Strategy (as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents).  A revised Fees and Charges for 2024/25 was published on 21 February 2024. 

In accordance with legislation, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on all the budget items on this agenda.

Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Tyerman seconded a motion as set out below:

1.  that for 2024/25 net revenue expenditure of £139.2m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £88.4m for 2024/25 (a 4.75% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved, subject to:

a.  the allocation of £250,000 for one off funding to Children’s Services, to create a reserve to manage transition, and deliver changes required to implement Stable Homes Built on Love, to be funded from the Comprehensive Spending Reserve;  and

b.  the set up of an Enterprise Development Reserve of £100,000 to be funded through a ‘one off’ contribution from the Council’s Collection Fund Reserve.  Drawdown against the new Reserve will be subject to compliance with specific criteria with responsibility for setting this criteria delegated to the Director of Pride in Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth and Group Leaders;

2.  that the revised Fees and Charges for 2024/25 (as circulated on 21 February 2024 at Appendix 18), Capital Strategy 2024/25, Capital Investment Plan 2024/25 and Treasury Management Strategy (including the Prudential Indicators 2024/25; and Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2024/25) be approved;

3.  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

4.  that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2024/25 of £473,471 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay advised that two notice of motions to amend the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals had been received, in accordance with Standing Order A13.4.

During the debate as Councillor David Thomas had incorporated the two notice of motions to amend the revenue budget proposals in his motion, in accordance with Standing Order A16.9:  Councillor Law withdrew her motion with the consent of Councillor Cowell as seconder;  and Councillor Maddison withdrew her motion with the consent of Councillor Cowell as seconder.

Councillor David Thomas’ and Councillor Tyerman’s original motion was then considered and agreed by the Council (by recorded vote) as set out below:

1.      that for 2024/25 net revenue expenditure of £139.2m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £88.4m for 2024/25 (a 4.75% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved, subject to:

a.  the allocation of £250,000 for one off funding to Children’s Services, to create a reserve to manage transition, and deliver changes required to implement Stable Homes Built on Love, to be funded from the Comprehensive Spending Reserve;  and

b.  the set up of an Enterprise Development Reserve of £100,000 to be funded through a ‘one off’ contribution from the Council’s Collection Fund Reserve.  Drawdown against the new Reserve will be subject to compliance with specific criteria with responsibility for setting this criteria delegated to the Director of Pride in Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth and Group Leaders;

2.  that the revised Fees and Charges for 2024/25 (as circulated on 21 February 2024 at Appendix 18), Capital Strategy 2024/25, Capital Investment Plan 2024/25 and Treasury Management Strategy (including the Prudential Indicators 2024/25; and Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2024/25) be approved;

3.  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

4.  that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2024/25 of £473,471 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Billings, Brook, Bryant, Bye, Cowell, Fellows, Hutchings, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Maddison, Spacagna, Stevens, Strang, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas, Tolchard, Tranter, Twelves and Tyerman (20);  Abstain:  Councillors Carter, George Darling, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Douglas-Dunbar, Fox, Harvey, Johns, Law, Long, Penny, Pentney and Virdee (13); and Absent:  Councillors Atiya-Alla, Joyce and Nicolaou (3).