Issue - meetings

Ahead of the Supplementary Council Agenda publication, which will follow the Cabinet meeting, the background Cabinet reports relating to this meeting can be viewed on the Council’s website at the following link:-

Cabinet – Wednesday 19 February 2025

PART I – ITEMS RESOLVED BY CABINET

There were no items resolved by Cabinet in this report.

PART II – RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

Item 1 –  Housing Revenue Account Budget and Housing Public Sector

Capital Expenditure Programme 2025/26

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness introduced the item and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

The motion was put to a recorded vote, the outcome of which was as follows:-

Voting for:- Cllrs Alvey, Armstrong, Blunden, Brand, Clark, Clarke, Cleary, Crisell, Cullen, J Davies, S Davies, Dowd, Dunning, Frampton, Glass, Harrison, Hartmann, Hawkins, Haywood, Linford, Mballa, McCarthy, Millar, Murray, Osborne, Penman, Penny, Poole, Rackham, Reid, Reilly, Richards, Rickman, Sleep, Thierry, Tipp, Tungate, A Wade, M Wade, Ward, Woods and Young.

Voting against:- None.

Abstaining:- None.

The recommendations were carried, 42 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstaining.

RESOLVED:

1.     That from 07 April 2025, an increase in dwelling rents of 2.7% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level, in accordance with Government guidelines, be agreed;

2.     That from 07 April 2025, an increase in garage rents of 2.7% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level be agreed;

3.     That from 07 April 2025, an increase in shared ownership property rents of 3.2% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level, in accordance with Government guidelines of RPI +0.5%, be agreed, and that the weekly rent of one additional property sold under previous legislation be increased by 2.7%;

4.     That from 07 April 2025 Service Charges will continue to reflect actual charges and following a reduction in window cleaning and utility costs, these respective charges will be reduced;

5.     That the HRA budget, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report, be agreed; and

6.     That a Housing Capital Programme to 2027/28, as set out in Appendix 4 to the Cabinet report, be agreed.

Item 2 – Medium Term Financial Plan and Annual Budget 2025/26

The Chairman used his discretion to allow the Leader of the Council and the leaders of the opposition groups only to exceed the time limit for speeches, for making their budget speeches.  He highlighted his intention to attempt to facilitate one budget debate on the recommendations from Cabinet and any single alternative proposal, also at his discretion.  However, should more than one amendment be tabled, he indicated that these would be dealt with one at a time, for clarity.

The Leader of the Council introduced the item and moved the recommendations as proposed in the report of the Cabinet dated 19 February 2025.  She also made a statement on the budget, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.  Cllr S Davies seconded the motion.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group made a statement and moved an amendment in the form of an alternative budget.  Cllr Clark seconded the amendment. A copy of the alternative budget had been circulated to all Members and published as part of the supplementary council agenda.  A copy of the statement made is attached to these minutes.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57