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