To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Budget proposals for 2016/2017.  Included in this report are the following documents:

 

·         Revenue Budget 2016/2017

·         Budget Digest 2016/2017

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2016/2017

·         Equality Impact Assessments 2016/2017

·         Fees and Charges 2016/2017

·         Review of Reserves 2016/2017

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017

·         Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/2016 – Quarter Three

·         Children’s Financial Plan – Progress Report

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 3 February 2016, Members considered the recommendations of the Mayor in relation to the Revenue Budget 2016/17, the Review of Reserves 2016/2017 and the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 as set out in the submitted report.  In addition, the Quarter 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring was noted.

 

In accordance with legislation, the Chairman advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and amendments.

 

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Mills:

 

that it be recommended to Council:

 

(i)         that the net revenue expenditure and council tax requirement for 2016/17, as shown in paragraph 3.3 of the submitted report, that includes the funding raised by the 2% council tax increase specifically for adult social care, be approved;

 

(ii)        that in relation to (i) above, Council confirms its commitment (by a statement signed by the Section 151 Officer) to allocate the additional funding raised by the 2% council tax increase to adult social care in 2016/17 and in future years;

 

(iii)       that the 2016/17 allocation of the revenue budget to services as per the budget digest and the associated fees and charges (both circulated separately) be approved;

 

(iv)       that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the nationally laid down Schools Financial Regulations (paragraph 11 of the submitted report) and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed and this authorisation be  included in the officer scheme of delegation;

 

(v)        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 (paragraph 12 of the submitted report);

 

(vi)       that Council approve the temporary use of £2.5m from the Insurance Reserve in 2015/16 to fund the projected 2015/16 overspend, which is  to be repaid from the 2016/17 budget;

 

(vii)      that Council note that Brixham Town Council have yet to set their budget for 2016/17 and this precept, when known, will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

 

(viii)     that, subject to clarification of the acceptance process from DCLG, that Council delegate acceptance of a four year funding settlement for Revenue Support Grant to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor  and Executive Director of Operations and Finance;

 

(ix)       that, the Review of Reserves 2016/2017, as set out in the submitted report at appendix 3, be approved; and

 

(x)        that, the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017), as set out in the submitted report at appendix 4, be approved.

 

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the following two objections, the Mayor declared his pecuniary interest in relation to Connections and withdrew from the meeting.)

 

In accordance with Standing Order A14.4 an objection was proposed by Councillor Stocks and seconded by Councillor Doggett:

 

that the Council formally objects to the Mayor’s revenue budget proposals on the basis that:

 

1.      the deletion of the Social Fund from the baseline budget that will eventually end crisis support for those in desperate need in our community;

 

2.      there is no clear strategy for how the reductions to the Connections offices will be applied which could result in impacting heavily on people in most need of Council services and support, and result in a second class service for residents in two of our three towns;

 

3.      it is unclear from these proposals as to whether the Council have got the balance right between caring for those in need of social care in their homes and those in a residential setting, as the Council has yet to determine the priorities within the Annual Strategic Agreement;

 

4.      cutting £331,000 from highways maintenance when there's a £19 million backlog of work in the Bay which is imprudent;  and

 

5.    finally we have grave concerns that Councillors are being expected to support this budget without considering this in the context of the Council determining the Efficiency Plan, which is urgently required to set out how the Council will achieve financial sustainability over the next 4 years and beyond.

 

In accordance with the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by 10 am on 19 February 2016 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.

 

A recorded vote was taken on the objection.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For: Councillors Carter, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Morey, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks and Stringer (10);  Against:  Amil, Barnby, Bent, Brooks, Bye, Cunningham, Excell, Hill, King, Kingscote, Lewis, Mills, Morris, O’Dwyer, Parrott, Robson, Stubley, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J) Tolchard and Winfield (22);  Abstain:  Councillors Haddock and Tyerman (2);  and Absent:  Mayor Oliver and Councillors Lang and Manning (3).  Therefore the objection was declared lost.

 

In accordance with Standing Order A14.4 an objection was proposed by Councillor Morey and seconded by Councillor Ellery:

 

that the Council formally objects to the Mayor’s revenue budget proposals in respect of the reduction to the Connections Service, on the basis that it is not clear how the savings will be achieved, despite significant opposition to change being indicated in the public consultation and the potential that any change could adversely affect senior citizens and the more vulnerable in society.

 

In accordance with the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by 10 am on 19 February 2016 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.

 

A recorded vote was taken on the objection.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For: Councillors Bent, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Hill, Kingscote, Lewis, Morey, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Stringer, Skyes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard, Tyerman and Winfield (22);  Against:  Councillors Amil, Barnby, Brooks, Bye, Excell, King, Mills, Morris, Parrott and Stubley (10);  Abstain:  Councillors Haddock and O’Dwyer (2);  and Absent:  Mayor Oliver and Councillors Lang and Manning (3).  Therefore the objection was declared carried and the Chairman advised that, as the Mayor had an interest in the matter, the Executive Lead for Business would consider the objection and publish his response for consideration at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.

 

In accordance with the Standing Order A14.4 an objection was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Tyerman:

 

that the Council formally objects to the Mayor’s revenue budget 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 the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by 10 am on 19 February 2016 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.

 

A recorded vote was taken on the objection.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Barnby, Bent, Brooks, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Hill, Kingscote, Lewis, Morey, O’Dwyer, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stringer, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard, Tyerman and Winfield (25);  Against:  Amil, Excell, Haddock, King, Mills, Morris, Parrott and Stubley (8);  Abstain:  Mayor Oliver and Stocks (2);  and Absent:  Councillors Lang and Manning (2).  Therefore the objection was declared carried and the Chairman advised that the Mayor would consider the objection and publish his response for consideration at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.

 

The Chairman referred Members to the two recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board to the Council in relation to objections to the Council’s Policy Framework. 

 

(Note: Prior to consideration of the following objection, the Mayor declared his pecuniary interest in relation to Connections and withdrew from the meeting.)

 

It was proposed by Councillor Lewis and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

 

that the Council formally objects to the current Corporate Plan on the basis that the following should be included:

 

The Council will maintain a face-to-face customer service presence in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham for at least part of the week.

 

In accordance with the Constitution at F4.9, the Council therefore requires the Executive Lead for Business Services to consider this objection by 19 February 2016 either:

 

a)         submit a revision of the Corporate Plan with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

 

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

 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Tyerman:

 

The Council will maintain a face-to-face customer service presence in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham for at least part of the week and before any change is made to the locations of face-to-face customer service a report be presented to Council for approval.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

 

The substantive motion (the original motion with the additional wording) was then before Members for consideration.

 

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was declared carried.  The Chairman advised that, as the Mayor had an interest in the matter, the Executive Lead for Business would consider the objection and publish his response for consideration at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Lewis and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

 

That the Council formally objects to the current Corporate Plan on the basis that the following should be included:

 

The Council will maintain libraries in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

 

In accordance with the Constitution, Standing Orders – Budget and Policy Framework, paragraph F4.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by 19 February 2016 either:

 

a)         submit a revision of the Corporate Plan with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

 

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

 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Mills and seconded by Councillor Parrott:

 

The Council will maintain libraries in Torquay, Paignton, Churston and Brixham.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

 

The substantive motion (the original motion with the additional word) was then before Members for consideration.

 

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was declared carried.  The Chairman advised that the Mayor would consider the objection and publish his response for consideration at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016.