Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Directors of Economy, Transport and Environment and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services setting out proposals for the Economic Development budget for 2018/19 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

For the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the Revenue Budget proposals for the Economy, Transport and Environment Department for 2018/19. The proposals for economic development are set out in the attached report which is due to be considered at the Decision Day of the Executive Member for Economic Development at 1.00pm on 22 January 2018.

The Select Committee received a report and supporting presentation from the Director of Economy Transport & Environment Department regarding the proposed Revenue Budget for 2018/19 for the services under the portfolio of the Executive Member for Economic Development.

Members asked questions for clarification and debated the proposals. Regarding the proposal that in future business rates may be retained locally, it was noted that the central government position was that this would initially be a cost neutral change. It was anticipated there would be a re-set every few years, therefore any benefit from increased business rates would be limited.

Following the debate, the Chairman proposed the recommendation, which was carried (with 3 against) as follows;

RECOMMENDED:

That the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee supports the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Economic Development that the revised revenue budget for 2017/18, as set out in section 5 of the attached report, and the summary revenue budget for 2018/19, as set out in section 7 of the attached report, be recommended for approval by the Leader and Cabinet.