To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Revenue Budget proposals for 2021/2022 and the Chief Finance Officer’s Report. 

Please note:

·         Revenue Budget Digest 2021/2022;

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2021/2022 (including Equality Impact Assessments); and

·         Fees and Charges 2021/2022

Can be found at www.torbay.gov.uk/council/finance/budget/budget-202122/

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 4 February 2021, Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2021/22 as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents. 

In accordance with legislation, the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and the objection.

Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the proposals identified for efficiencies, service change and income generation in 2021/22 be approved (as set out in the Cabinet’s response to Consultation report);

(ii)        that the net revenue expenditure of £115.472m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £74.607m for 2021/22 (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 3% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

(iii)       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 and this delegation is included in the next revision of the Council’s constitution;

(iv)       that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 be approved ((Public Pack)Agenda Document for Budget Digest, 19/01/2021 00:00 (torbay.gov.uk));

(v)        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 report) be noted; and

(vi)       that it be noted, that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2021/22 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay advised that one notice of motion to object to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals had been received in accordance with Standing Order A13.4.

Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Chris Lewis seconded an objection to the motion as follows:

that the Council formally objects to the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals on the basis of the Cabinet’s proposed increase in Council Tax of 1.99%, in light of the financial burden and hardship this would cause our residents, particularly during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating financial impact this has had on many individuals and their families.  (Note:  the Conservative Group accept the 3% increase for Adult Social Care to support our partnership work with our health colleagues in the ICO.)  The Cabinet are asked to consider a zero percentage increase in Council Tax, recognising that there is a £7.1 million underspend in the current 2020/2021 Financial Year, which was not fully declared at the time of the public consultation on the Cabinet’s budget proposals.

In accordance with the Constitution at F2.9, the Council therefore requires the Cabinet to consider this objection by 18 February 2021 either:

a)         submit a revision of the estimates or amounts as amended by the Cabinet 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 Cabinet has with any of the Council’s objections and the Cabinet’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, Barrand, Brooks, Bye, Foster, Hill, Kavanagh, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, O’Dwyer, Sykes, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas and John Thomas (14);  Against:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Carter, Cowell, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Dart, Douglas-Dunbar, Dudley, Howgate, Kennedy, Law, Long, Loxton, Manning, Mills, Morey, Pentney and Stockman (19);  and Absent:  Councillors Brown and Ellery (2).  Therefore, the objection was declared lost.

Councillor Steve Darling’s and Councillor Cowell’s original motion was then considered and agreed by the Council (by recorded vote) as set out below:

(i)         that the proposals identified for efficiencies, service change and income generation in 2021/22 be approved (as set out in the Cabinet’s response to Consultation report);

(ii)        that the net revenue expenditure of £115.472m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £74.607m for 2021/22 (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 3% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

(iii)       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 and this delegation is included in the next revision of the Council’s constitution;

(iv)      that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 be approved ((Public Pack)Agenda Document for Budget Digest, 19/01/2021 00:00 (torbay.gov.uk));

(v)       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 report) be noted; and

(vi)      that it be noted, that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2021/22 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes.

The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Carter, Cowell, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Dart, Douglas-Dunbar, Dudley, Howgate, Kennedy, Law, Long, Loxton, Manning, Mills, Morey, Pentney and Stockman (19);  Against:  Councillors Barnby, Barrand, Brooks, Bye, Foster, Hill, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, O’Dwyer, Sykes, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas and John Thomas (13);  and Absent:  Councillors Brown, Ellery and Kavanagh (3).

(Note:  Councillor Kavanagh left the meeting after the recorded vote on the objection to the budget.)