Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda.  Declarations should also be made at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. 

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To receive any questions from members of the public.

In order for the Committee to provide the fullest answer, questions from the public should be submitted by noon on Thursday 30 January 2020.

Where relevant notice of a question has not been given, the person presiding may either choose to give a response at the meeting or respond by undertaking to provide a written response within three working days.

Questions should be submitted to Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk   

(Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

Mr White, a Worthing resident, asked whether the Council was wise to be investing in property given all of the associated risks?

The Leader of the Council advised that risks had been debated by the Council and its Committees in the past but the fact of the matter was the investments in property had delivered substantial income. The mitigation was against the small level of risks of there being some voids in the future.      

To consider any items the Chairman of the meeting considers to be urgent.

There were no urgent items.

To consider a report from the Director for Digital & Resources, a copy is attached as item 4.

The Executive had before it a report by the Director for Digital and Resources, attached to the signed record of these decisions as item 4.

The report was the final budget report of the year, the culmination of the annual budgeting exercise, and asked members to consider:

·         The final revenue estimates for 2020/21 including any adjustments arising from settlement;

·         An updated outline 5-year forecast; and

·         The provisional level of Council Tax for 2020/21, prior to its submission to the Council for approval on the 18 February 2020. This would be subject to any proposals to change the draft revenue budget following the consideration of the budget by the Executive.

The report outlined the medium term financial challenge through to 2024/25, and set out performance in the key strategic areas of commercialisation, digital transformation and strategic property investment. The current budget strategy was having a significant effect on how the Councils would be funded in the future with increasing income generated from commercial income and rents. However, following the delay to the fairer funding review, the challenge still remained significant for 2021/22, with the early identification of initiatives to bridge the emerging budget gap a priority.

These budgets reflected the Councils’ ambitions set out in Platforms for our Places, and agreed savings proposals contributing to the financial sustainability of the Councils.The report also updated members about the impact of the draft 2020/21 settlement.

The key points raised within the report included:

·         A full update on the impact of settlement. The Council should prepare itself for a continuation of the reduction in Government resources for 2021/22 and beyond (paragraph 4.2);

·         Highlighted the proposed funding for initiatives to support the Councils’ ambitions set out in Platforms for our Places - Going Further;

·         The proposals to invest in services outlined in Appendix 2;

·         The Executive was asked to consider whether to increase Council Tax by 2.0% or by a lower amount (paragraph 5.11).

The budget was analysed by Executive Member portfolio. In addition, the draft estimates for 2020/21 had been prepared, in accordance with the requirements of the Service Reporting Code of Practice for Local Authorities (except in relation to pension costs adjustments that did not impact either on the Budget Requirement or the Council Tax Requirement).

The draft Local Government Settlement allowed Councils to increase core Council Tax by up to 2% in addition to the 2% Council Tax increase permitted specifically to support adult social care services (subject to a maximum increase for social care of 6% in the period 2017/18 to 2019/20). Therefore a maximum Council Tax increase of 4% for Councils with social care responsibilities was allowed.

The precept for West Sussex County Council had not yet been finalised and would not be confirmed until 14 February 2019. The formal detailed resolution setting the overall Council Tax for next year would be presented direct to the Council Meeting on 18 February 2020.

The Director for Digital and Resources introduced the report thanking all Officers who had contributed to the proposals.  ...  view the full minutes text for item W EX/4/19-20