To consider the recommendations of the Elected Mayor on the Revenue Budget proposals for 2018/2019 and the Chief Financial Officer’s Report.  Circulated separately to this report are the following documents:

o   Proposed Budget Digest (including the proposals for service change, income generation and savings)

o   Equality Impact Assessments

o   Proposed Fees and Charges

See www.torbay.gov.uk/council/finance/budget/budget-201819/

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 1 February 2018, Members considered the recommendations of the Elected Mayor in relation to the Revenue Budget 2018/19 as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents.

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

Elected Mayor Oliver proposed and Councillor Mills seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the proposals identified for service change, income generation and efficiencies in 2018/2019, as set out in the Elected Mayor’s Response to Consultation (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/10932/mayors-budget-proposals-response-1819.pdf) and the Draft Revenue Budget Digest (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/documents/g8771/Public%20reports%20pack%20Friday%2026-Jan-2018%20Budget%20Digest.pdf?T=10) , be approved;

(ii)        that the net revenue expenditure of £112.006m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £65.477m for 2018/2019 (a 5.99% increase in Council Tax which includes a 3% increase specifically for adult social care) be approved;

(iii)       that, in relation to (ii) above, the Council’s commitment (by a statement signed by the Chief Financial Officer) to allocate the additional funding of £1.851m raised by the 3% increase in Council Tax to adult social care be confirmed;

(iv)       that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the Schools Financial Regulations and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed;

(v)        that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2018/2019 be approved (http://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/documents/g8769/Public%20reports%20pack%20Friday%2026-Jan-2018%20Budget%20Digest.pdf?T=10) ;

(vi)       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 submitted report) be considered and noted;  and

(vii)      that it be noted that Brixham Town Council has yet to set its budget for 2018/2019 and this precept, when known, will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

During the debate and in accordance with Standing Order A14.4, Councillor Doggett proposed and Councillor Long seconded an objection to the motion as follows:

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

This Council notes that Torbay Council does not fund bus subsidies in Torbay from Council tax payers.  This compares to local authorities such as Plymouth and Devon County Council that on the latest figures available from the campaign for better transport, fund bus services at a rate of £384,029 and £4,780,129 respectively. 

The lack of subsidy has contributed in bus services being ended or suffering reductions such as the 64, 65, 67 and 32 routes.

This Council further notes that the combination of the operation of the concessionary fares scheme along with the lack of subsidy provided by this Council, could leave some current routes across Torbay vulnerable to further reductions in service, during the next financial year.  

In light of the above this Council calls upon the Elected Mayor to establish a fund for subsidising buses in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167