(i)            To consider the submitted report on the Local Government Finance Settlement on the Revenue Budget for 2013/14 (covering report to follow, appendices attached).

(ii)          To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Revenue Budget Proposals for 2013/14.

The Chairman advised that, following publication of the agenda for this meeting, items 13 (Revenue Budget 2013/14) and 14 (Capital Plan Budget 2013/14 to 2016/17) had been combined.

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 6 February 2013, members considered the recommendations of the Mayor in relation to the Revenue Budget 2013/14 and Capital Plan Budget 2013/14 to 2016/17, as set out in the submitted report.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Thomas (D):

(i)            That it be recommended to Council that:

(a)        the revenue budget for 2013/14 (paragraph 6.3 of the submitted report) and the associated fees and charges (appendix 1 of the submitted report), be approved;

(b)       the final notified Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the nationally laid down Schools Financial Regulations (paragraph 6.1 (a) of the submitted report) and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed;

(c)        that the Members’ Allowances Scheme will be implemented in 2013/2014 in accordance with the decision of the Council at its meeting on 1 February 2012 subject to the annual local government pay percentage increase (paragraph 6.1 (b) of the submitted report); and that Members acknowledge that they are not to be auto enrolled to the Local Government Pension Scheme for the reasons given in the report;

(d)        the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Finance be authorised to approve expenditure from the Comprehensive Spending Review reserve and Budget Pressures reserve;

(e)       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 (sections 8 and 9 of the submitted report);

(f)        the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Finance be authorised to make adjustments to and introduce new fees and charges within the budget during 2013/14 if it is in the best interest for the Council;

(g)       the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, Executive Lead Member for Finance and appropriate officers, be authorised to determine the allocation and expenditure of any new grant monies, unallocated grants or other additional income that may be received during the year 2013/14;

(h)       the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make adjustments to the budgets for any technical changes;

(i)         the Chief Finance Officer prepare the appropriate documentation for the Council to approvethe Council Tax setting at the meeting on 28 February 2013 and all other returns to be made by the appropriate date;

(j)         impact assessments as shown in appendix 2 of the submitted report are noted;

(k)        that Council note the Review of Reserves report and approve the transfer of the surplus on a number of individual reserves to the Comprehensive Spending Review Reserve (appendix 3 of the submitted report);

(l)         that Council approve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111