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.

Questions should be submitted by noon on Thursday 28 January 2021 to Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk    

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

There were no questions received from the public.    

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

There were no urgent items raised.

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

The Executive had before it a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability 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 2021/22 including any adjustments arising from settlement;

·       An updated outline 5-year forecast; and

·       The provisional level of Council Tax for 2021/22, prior to its submission to the Council for approval on the 23rd February 2021. 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 2025/26, discussed the impact that the pandemic was having on the Council’s finances over the next year, and set out performance in the key strategic areas of commercialisation, digital transformation and strategic property investment. This had been updated to include the latest information regarding the impact of the pandemic on the Council financial position. The current budget strategy was having a significant effect on how the Council would be funded in the future with increasing income generated from commercial income and rents. Following the delay to the fairer funding review, the challenge still remained significant for 2022/23, however the delivery of the budget strategy would ensure that this was met.

These budgets reflected the Councils’ ambitions set out in Platforms for our Places: Going Further, and agreed savings proposals contributing to the financial sustainability of the Councils.The report also updated members about the impact of the draft 2021/22 settlement.

The major 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 2022/23 and beyond (paragraph 4.2);

·       Creation of a Covid 19 contingency budget from resources provided by Government to fund both covid related risks and any associated recovery actions throughout 2021/22;

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

·       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 5.10.6).

The budget was analysed by Executive Member portfolio. In addition, the draft estimates for 2021/22 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 Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) had already been informed that the referendum criteria for this year was an increase of £15.00 per Band D property which would be equivalent to an increase of 7.5%.  The proposed 2021/22 budget was due to be considered by the Sussex Police and Crime Panel (PCP) on 28th January 2021. If the proposals were vetoed by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item W EX/4/20-21