Decision

NOTED that:

1)    The comments of the People Committee and the Place Committee set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 of the report.

RESOLVED that:

2)    The Interim Director of Finance / Section 151 Officer be authorised to make any necessary changes to the GLA precept in the Council Tax Calculation Annex 3 of the Budget Report Pack to this report prior to submission to Budget Council, once the final decisions have been confirmed by that body;

3)    Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the budget proposals and Council Tax for 2024/25 as set out in the Budget Report Pack report and annexes;

4)    Council be RECOMMENDED to authorise the relevant officers to take necessary action to deliver the agreed budget and service charges, including increasing relevant fees and charges in line with inflation;

5)    Council be RECOMMENDED, in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2003, to note the comments of the Section 151 Officer in regard to the robustness of estimates and the level of reserves and balances as set out in the section “Comments of the Interim Director of Finance / Section 151 Officer” in paragraphs 32 to 52 of the Budget Report Pack;

6)    Council be RECOMMENDED in accordance with sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992, to calculate the amounts in the statutory Council Tax calculation (Annex 3 of the Budget Report pack) for the financial year 2024/25;

7)    Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the Capital Strategy including the detailed capital programme for 2024/25 to 2027/28 as set out in Annex 11 to the Budget Report;

8)    Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the Treasury Strategy including the Annual Investment Strategy, prudential indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy as set out in Annex 12 to the Budget Report in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the RBK Treasury Strategy;

9)    Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the HRA 2024-25 base budget and proposal for growth and savings as set out in Annex 10 of the Budget Report Pack;

10)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the pay policy at Annex 13 to the budget report;

11)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the Schools Budget for 2024-25 in line with paragraph 18 and Enclosure 1 of Annex 14 to this report;

12)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals outlined for the Central School Services Block be approved including the transfer of £49k to the High Needs Block in paragraphs 29-31 of Annex 14;

13)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals outlined for the Early Years Block be approved including the transfer of £222k to the High Needs Block in paragraphs 32-38 of Annex 14;

14)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals for the High Needs Block in paragraphs 39-43 of Annex 14;

15)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals outlined for the Schools Block in paragraphs 22-28 of Annex 14 and the Schools Funding Formula outlined in Enclosure 2 of Annex 14 and the Schools Allocations in Enclosure 3 of Annex 14 be approved, including a Minimum Funding Guarantee of +0.5% per pupil (ref. paras 24-25);

16)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposal to increase the Council Tax charge for dwellings which are substantially furnished and have no residents (which are also known as “second homes”) by 100% with effect from 1 April 2025).

17)Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the proposal that the period before a qualifying dwelling attracts a Council Tax premium of 100% be reduced from 2 years to 1 year with effect from 1st April 2024.