Issue - meetings

a)    That the 2015/16 General Fund Revenue Budget as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 14 January 2015 with the addition of the changes set out in paragraph 1.2 of this report and the package of measures in respect of staffing related budgets be recommended to Full Council for approval be recommended to Full Council for approval.

b)    That the Capital Programme 2015/16 as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 14 January 2015 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

c)    That Cabinet recommend to Full Council that a budget of £139,280 be approved in respect of Keele master-planning costs to be funded from an earmarked reserve established by transferring an equivalent amount into it from the General Fund revenue account, being the estimated council tax surplus of £139,280 which will be credited to the revenue account in 2015/16.

A report was submitted to enable Cabinet to recommend the 2015/16 General Fund Revenue Budget and the 2015/16 Capital Programme to the Full Council, meeting on 25 February 2015.

The Leader introduced Cllr Paul Waring who was Chair of the Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee. Cllr Waring provided feedback from the Budget Scrutiny Café and the discussions held by the scrutiny committee in relation to the budget at meetings held on 16^th December,  21^st January 2015 and 13^th January 2015.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources introduced the report and thanked the scrutiny committee and Cllr Waring for all the work that had been carried out.

The Portfolio holder outlined a set of measures which had been considered to make savings in staffing related budgets.  This was made up of the following specific savings:

Long service awards                                      £13,000

Evening meeting allowances                          £18,000

Reduction of car mileage rates                      £19,000

(to HMRC mileage rates)       

Staff car parking                                              £58,000 (based upon £1 per day charge)

It is the Cabinet’s view that whilst making a car parking charge remains an option they are minded not to recommend this to Council as the required saving of £50,000 could be achieved from the other three measures.

The portfolio holder also thanked the Executive Director for Resources and Support Services and his team for their hard  and productive work.

Resolved:

a)         That the 2015/16 General Fund Revenue Budget as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 14 January 2015 with the addition of the changes set out in paragraph 1.2 of this report and the package of measures in respect of staffing related budgets be recommended to Full Council for approval.

b)         That the Capital Programme 2015/16 as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 14 January 2015 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

c)         That Cabinet recommend to Full Council that a budget of £139,280 be approved in respect of Keele master-planning costs to be funded from an earmarked reserve established by transferring an equivalent amount into it from the General Fund revenue account, being the estimated council tax surplus of £139,280 which will be credited to the revenue account in 2015/16.