Agenda item

A report was introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Finance IT and Customer.  Councillor Turner thanked the officers who had worked on the budget for 2016/17.

Members were advised that a new Government ruling had been introduced which would allow the Council to raise Council Tax by £5 per month but the Cabinet had chosen not to do that but stick with the 1.99% increase.

Councillor Loades introduced a report proposing an amended budget on behalf of the Conservative Group – this was to limit the Council Tax increase to 1.5%.

Councillor Loades thanked Councillor Turner and the officers for the budget report.

There were two proposals put forward:

(i)              To cease production of the Council’s Reporter newspaper from 1 April, 2016 – saving £31,000

(ii)             To reduce the General Fund Budget contribution to the Revenue Investment Fund by £31,000.  This sum to then be used to support vulnerable families in the Borough.

There were mixed reactions to the cessation of the Reporter.  Some Members felt that it was a useful source of information to some residents – especially those with no access to the internet.  Other Members stated that not every household in the Borough received a copy and that it was not read by everyone.  It was felt that ceasing the Reporter could not be done without consultation with the public.

Discussion took place in respect of the Revenue Investment Fund in respect of what the intention of the fund was and how it had been utilised in the past .

A named vote was requested for the proposed amendments:

In Favour - 25

Against - 32

Abstain - 0

The proposed amendment fell.

A named vote was then taken for the budget as set out in the agenda:

In Favour - 33

Against - 24

Abstain  - 0

Resolved:    That recommendations (a) to (j) as set out in Appendix B of the agenda report, be approved.