Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report that set out the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which presented the Council’s priorities in the context of the likely resources available, providing a financial context to decision making. The MTFP was reflective of the current financial position of the Council and is based on latest economic forecasts, and assumptions around the timing and level of capital and revenue expenditure and income.

Discussions centred around comparatives for insight data, improvement in reserves and the sustainability of the final position There was also discussion around the required need for a productivity plan which, whilst there is no detail of what is needed yet, the Council’s efficiency programme is considered to give a good starting point.

Members debated parking revenue, the impact of increased car park charges on residents/businesses, parking enforcement and the use of local knowledge and trends to improve each ward within the district. The importance of remaining competitive with other comparable towns was mentioned.

RESOLVED:

1)    In variance to the Fees and Charges schedule (Appendix C), the Panel recommended a 10 pence increase to the base level of all parking charges in the District with other tariffs rising in line with the percentage that this increase yielded (rounded up to the nearest 10 pence increment);

2)    That members supported the following recommendations to Council:

·         Approves the General Fund Budget for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix A (section 7)

·         Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2024/25 to 2027/28) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A)

·         Approves the Capital Strategy 2024/25 as set out in Appendix B

·         Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix C

·         Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2024/25, providing the authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £168.02 for 2024/25 (2.99% change from 2023/24)

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £54.50 for Leek and £10.96 for Biddulph for 2024/25 (2.99% change 2023/24) in respect of Special District Expenses

·         Notes the Chief Finance Officer's view that the level of reserves are adequate for the Council based on this budget and the circumstances in place at the time of preparing it (Appendix A, Annex B)