Purpose

To set out the Mayor's revenue budget
incorporating decisions for Revenue Monitoring, Capital Programme
and Treasury Management Strategy to be considered by cabinet in
making recommendations for Full Council to approve its budget.
 

Content

That Cabinet recommended to Council to:-
Note:

·      
The report from Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB)
and/or the Resources Scrutiny Commission that will be published
separately.

·      
The budget consultation process that was followed and feedback as
outlined in Section 18 and Appendix 6.

·      
The categorisation of earmarked reserves and provisions set out in
Section 15.

·      
That the budget consultation feedback and equality impact
assessments have been taken into consideration and have informed
the final budget proposals.

·      
The feedback provided by Bristol Schools Forum for Cabinet and
Council, for consideration in making final decisions on the
Dedicated Schools Budget for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 14.

·      
The Section 25 Statement of the Chief Finance Officer (s151
Officer) as set out in Section 17 on the robustness of the budget
and adequacy of reserves.
 
Delegated Authority:

·      
To the Director of Finance after consultation with Designated
Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Finance, Governance and
Performance and the Mayor, to make any necessary technical
adjustments that may be required to the budget with transfers to
and or from reserves as appropriate.
 
That Cabinet recommended to Full Council:

·      
The Bristol City Council levels of Council Tax increase of 4.99%;
which includes 2% precept to support Adult Social Care, noting the
precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset
and the Avon Fire Authority.

·      
The council’s General Fund net revenue budget for the year
2024/25 as £525.494 million and expenditure allocations as
set out in Appendix 1; subject to any budget amendments properly
notified to and approved by the council in line with the
Constitution.

·      
That supplementary estimates be approved as part of the Budget
2024/25 Report in the case that they are required to meet Q3/P8
2023/24 full year forecast spending requirements (see Appendix
15)

·      
 The council’s capital budget and
programme for the years 2024/25 – 2033/34, totalling
£2.7 billion for the General Fund and Housing Revenue
Fund.

·      
The strategic Community Infrastructure Levy allocations in section
13 are approved.

·      
The proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2024/25 in Appendix
4, incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the
prudential indicators and limits.

·      
To approve the Strategy for the Flexible use of Capital Receipts as
set out in Appendix 5.

·      
To approve the changes to Council Tax for empty homes (long term
empty dwellings that are substantially unfurnished) and for second
homes (dwellings that are occupied only periodically and are
substantially furnished) in Appendix 12 be applied from 1 April
2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, subject to the required
legislation being in place.