To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Revenue Budget proposals for 2023/2024 and the Chief Finance Officer’s Report. 

Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2023/2024, 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 all the budget items on this agenda.

Prior to the meeting, the Section 151 Officer circulated a Budget Robustness Statement in response to the submitted Notice of Motion to amend the Revenue Budget.

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

1.         that for 2023/24 net revenue expenditure of £131.0m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £82.7m for 2023/24 (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

2.         that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24 be approved;

3.         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 noted;

4.         that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2023/24 of £394,372 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;  and

5.         that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, Chief Finance Officer, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, be authorised to approve the “safety valve” agreement in relation to the Higher Needs Block deficit, subject to an offer of an agreement being made by the Department for Education.

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

Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Bye seconded the amendment to the motion as follows:

1.         that for 2023/24 net revenue expenditure of £131.0m £129.8m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £82.7m £81.5m for 2023/24 (a 4.99% 3.49% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved.  The Cabinet’s budget proposals be amended to include the use of £1.2m of the Investment Fund Contingency Reserve (one off);

2.         that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24 be approved;

3.         that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the additional advice given by the Chief Finance Officer (circulated on 2 March 2023) with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves (as set out in the submitted report) in light of the revised budget resulting in a reduction in Council Tax be noted;

4.         that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2023/24 of £394,372 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;  and

5.         that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, Chief Finance Officer, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, be authorised to approve the “safety valve” agreement in relation to the Higher Needs Block deficit, subject to an offer of an agreement being made by the Department for Education.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Barrand, Brooks, Bye, Foster, Kavanagh, O’Dwyer, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas and John Thomas (9);  Against:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Brown, Carter, Cowell, Mandy Darling, Douglas-Dunbar, Dudley, Howgate, Johns, Law, Long, Loxton, Mills, Pentney and Stockman (16);  and Absent:  Councillors Steve Darling, Dart, Ellery, Hill, Kennedy, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Manning, Morey and Sykes (10).  Therefore the amendment was declared lost.

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

1.         that for 2023/24 net revenue expenditure of £131.0m resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £82.7m for 2023/24 (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care) be approved;

2.         that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24 be approved;

3.         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 noted;

4.         that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2023/24 of £394,372 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes; and

5.         that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, Chief Finance Officer, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Finance, be authorised to approve the “safety valve” agreement in relation to the Higher Needs Block deficit, subject to an offer of an agreement being made by the Department for Education.

The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Brown, Carter, Cowell, Mandy Darling, Douglas-Dunbar, Dudley, Howgate, Johns, Law, Long, Loxton, Mills, O’Dwyer, Pentney and Stockman (17);  Against:  Councillors Barrand, Brooks, Bye, Foster, Kavanagh, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas and John Thomas (8); and Absent:  Councillors Steve Darling, Dart, Ellery, Hill, Kennedy, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Manning, Morey and Sykes (10).