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Budget Setting, Council - Friday, 23rd February, 2024 2.30 pm

February 23, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)

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Summary

The council meeting focused on finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, addressing housing issues, and setting council tax rates. Key decisions included approving the general revenue and capital budget, the housing revenue account budget, and the council tax resolution for 2024-25.

  1. General Revenue and Capital Budget for 2024-25: The budget was approved after a detailed presentation by the finance cabinet member, emphasizing support for residents, investment in the town, and prioritizing children. Debate centered on the economic challenges and government funding cuts. The decision aims to maintain service levels despite financial pressures.

  2. Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2024-25: This budget was also approved, focusing on improving council housing and managing the housing services more efficiently by bringing them in-house. The discussion highlighted the ongoing need for affordable housing and the strategic use of reserves to fund service improvements without impacting the council's financial stability.

  3. Council Tax Resolution for 2024-25: The council agreed on the tax rates for the next fiscal year. The resolution passed without significant debate, indicating a consensus on the necessity of the proposed tax rates to fund council services adequately.

An interesting moment in the meeting was the robust defense of the budget against criticisms of insufficient funding for street cleaning and recycling services, reflecting the council's broader struggles with constrained budgets and prioritization of resources.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Paul Baker
Councillor Paul Baker Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling, Parks, Gardens and Green Open Space • Liberal Democrats • Charlton Park
Profile image for Councillor Glenn Andrews
Councillor Glenn Andrews Liberal Democrats • Lansdown
Profile image for Councillor Victoria Atherstone
Councillor Victoria Atherstone Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities • Liberal Democrats • St. Peters
Profile image for Councillor Adrian Bamford
Councillor Adrian Bamford Chair of Audit, Compliance and Governance • Liberal Democrats • Up Hatherley
Profile image for Councillor Garth Barnes
Councillor Garth Barnes Liberal Democrats • College
Profile image for Councillor Graham Beale
Councillor Graham Beale Liberal Democrats • Warden Hill
Profile image for Councillor Angie Boyes
Councillor Angie Boyes Liberal Democrats • Charlton Kings
Profile image for Councillor Jackie Chelin
Councillor Jackie Chelin Chair of Member Development Panel • Liberal Democrats • Park
Profile image for Councillor Barbara Clark
Councillor Barbara Clark Liberal Democrats • All Saints
Profile image for Councillor Flo Clucas
Councillor Flo Clucas Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services • Liberal Democrats • Swindon Village
Profile image for Councillor Mike Collins
Councillor Mike Collins Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control • Liberal Democrats • Benhall, the Reddings and Fiddler's Green
Profile image for Councillor Iain Dobie
Councillor Iain Dobie Liberal Democrats • College
Profile image for Councillor Steve Harvey
Councillor Steve Harvey Liberal Democrats • Charlton Park
Profile image for Councillor Rowena Hay
Councillor Rowena Hay Leader of the Council • Liberal Democrats • Oakley
Profile image for Councillor Sandra Holliday
Councillor Sandra Holliday Liberal Democrats • St. Marks
Profile image for Councillor Martin Horwood
Councillor Martin Horwood Deputy Mayor • Liberal Democrats • Leckhampton
Profile image for Councillor Peter Jeffries
Councillor Peter Jeffries Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets • Liberal Democrats • Springbank
Profile image for Councillor Tabi Joy
Councillor Tabi Joy Chair of Overview and Scrutiny • Green Party • St. Pauls
Profile image for Councillor Alisha Lewis
Councillor Alisha Lewis Cabinet Member for Major Development and Housing Delivery • Liberal Democrats • Oakley
Profile image for Councillor Tony Oliver
Councillor Tony Oliver Liberal Democrats • Warden Hill
Profile image for Councillor Richard Pineger
Councillor Richard Pineger Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency • Liberal Democrats • St. Marks
Profile image for Councillor Julie Sankey
Councillor Julie Sankey Liberal Democrats • Up Hatherley
Profile image for Councillor Stan Smith
Councillor Stan Smith People Against Bureaucracy • Prestbury
Profile image for Councillor Izaac Tailford
Councillor Izaac Tailford Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Wellbeing and Public Realm • Liberal Democrats • All Saints
Profile image for Councillor Julian Tooke
Councillor Julian Tooke Liberal Democrats • Pittville
Profile image for Councillor Simon Wheeler
Councillor Simon Wheeler Liberal Democrats • Hesters Way
Profile image for Councillor Suzanne Williams
Councillor Suzanne Williams Liberal Democrats • Springbank
Profile image for Councillor Dr David Willingham
Councillor Dr David Willingham Mayor • Liberal Democrats • St. Peters

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council

Additional Documents

Order_of_Precedence_report
General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Budget Papers 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Council Tax Resolution 2024-25 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Budget Council Protocol 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Council Tax Resolution 2024-25 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Public and Member Questions with responses 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Printed minutes 23rd-Feb-2024 14.30 Council
Minutes Public Pack 11122023 Council
2024_02_23_Public_Questions
2024_02_23_Member_Questions
General Fund Revenue and Capital - Final Budget Proposal 202425
Appendix 2 - S25 report S151 commentary 2024.25
Appendix 4 - Proposed Budget Savings and Additional Income
Appendix 6 - Capital Programme 2023-24 2024-25
Housing Revenue Account Budget 2024-25 Cabinet Council Report
HRA Budget 2024-25 Appendix 3 Summary Capital Programme
Council Tax Resolution 2024-25
Appendix 2 - Council Tax Resolution
Council_Tax_Discount_Care_Leavers
HRA Budget 2024-25 Appendix 4 Detailed Capital Programme
HRA Budget 2024-25 Appendix 5 HRA Asset Management Plan 2023-2028
Council_Tax_Discount_Care_Leavers_Appendix_2
Council_Tax_Premiums
Council_Tax_Premiums_Appendix_2_Community_Impact_Assessment
Council_Diary_2024_2025_report
Council_diary_2024_25
Appendix 3 - Net Budget Requirement
Appendix 5 - Growth Items
HRA Budget 2024-25 Appendix 2 Operating Account
Empty_Property_Discount_Premium Classes from April 2025_Appendix_3
Order Of Precedence Appendix update