Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend to Council that:-

(a)  there is a General Fund Net Budget Requirement in 2022/23 of £20,674,420, as set out in appendices 5a - d to the report;

(b)  the budget is set in accordance with the fees and charges as agreed by the Portfolio Holders and published in the lead up to the final budget approval and adoption;

(c)   the New Forest District Council Band D Council Tax for 2022/23 shall be £188.36;

(d)  the General Fund Capital Programme for 2022/23 of £17.174m, as set out in Appendix 6 of the report be approved;

(e)  the Section 151 officer and Chief Executive, working in consultation with the Leader and appropriate Portfolio Holder (depending on the nature of the item), have delegated approval to allocate budget from the ‘Corporate Plan Delivery’ funds made available within this budget to Services to achieve the objectives as laid out within this report; and

(f)    the site licence fees and service charges at Stillwater Park be increased by 4.9% in line with RPI inflation.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Finance, Investment and Corporate Services / All.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.  All Members of the Cabinet had been granted a dispensation to speak and vote on this item.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and outlined the £20,674,420 General Fund Net Budget Requirement.

The Government settlement had now been confirmed and was broadly in line with the Council’s plan.

The Cabinet welcomed the good financial position the Council was currently in and that this enabled the Council to invest in priorities for local residents.  However, attention was drawn to paragraph 3.3 of the report which confirmed the forecast budget deficit of £1.895M at 2025/26.  With sound financial management and the actions contained within the Medium Term Financial Plan, there was confidence that this gap could be closed.

The Executive Head of Financial and Corporate Services referred to section 9 of the report and reiterated his satisfaction with the process for the development of the budget and medium term financial plan, alongside assurance on the adequacy of reserves in accordance with the statutory role of the Section 151 Officer.