Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet for the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2020/21 and the Capital Programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23.

[Councillor Mans declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a Director of the Oakhaven Care Agency]

The Leader introduced the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2020/21 and the Capital Programme for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23. He highlighted the priority of supporting those in need, the additional money that would be available for highway maintenance and for climate change reduction and resilience. In moving the recommendations he noted that council tax in Hampshire would remain amongst the lowest in the country. Councillor Stephen Reid, the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance presented a detailed budget report.

In commending the revenue budget proposals the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance set out the strategies of dealing with financial pressure through a two year planning cycle; of capitalising on a skilled workforce through selling services to others and of a reliable pooled investment strategy. He noted the flexibility and resilience that Hampshire’s reserves strategy had provided and welcomed the proposal to re-build the Budget Bridging Reserve (BBR). He paid tribute to the Director of Corporate Resources and her team for their work in managing and preparing the budget.

Opposition Group Leaders responded to the proposals. During the course of a full debate, views in support of, or raising concern, about the proposals were expressed. No Amendments were moved therefore the recommendations were put to the vote in accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the outcome of which was recorded as follows:

FOR - 51

Councillors: John Bennison, Fred Birkett, Martin Boiles, Ray Bolton, Jackie Branson, Ann Briggs, Ziliah Brooks, Graham Burgess, Adam Carew, Fran Carpenter, Christopher Carter, Roz Chadd, Rod Cooper, Roland Dibbs, Peter Edgar, Liz Fairhurst, Steve Forster, Andrew Gibson, Judith Grajewski, Marge Harvey, Pal Hayre, Edward Heron, Gary Hughes, Rob Humby, Roger Hexstep, Andrew Joy, David Keast, Mark Kemp-Gee, Peter Latham, Keith Mans, Alexis McEvoy, Anna McNair Scott, Derek Mellor, Floss Mitchell, Rob Mocatta, Kirsty North, Russell Oppenheimer, Neville Penman, Roy Perry, Stephen Philpott, Lance Quantrill, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Elaine Still, Tom Thacker, Michael Thierry, Rhydian Vaughan, Jan Warwick, Michael White, Bill Withers, Seán Woodward.

AGAINST – 19

Councillors: Peter Chegwyn, Daniel Clarke, Adrian Collett, Mark Cooper, Tonia Craig, Alan Dowden, Jane Frankum, David Harrison, Dominic Hiscock, Keith House, Wayne Irish, Gavin James, Jackie Porter, Roger Price, David Simpson, Bruce Tennent, Martin Tod, Malcolm Wade, Michael Westbrook.

ABSTAIN – 1

Councillor Charles Choudhary

RESOLVED:

1. Revenue Budget and Precept 2020/21

That the County Council approve:

a.    The Treasurer’s report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 (Appendix 7 of the Cabinet report) and take this into account when determining the budget and precept for 2020/21.

b.    The Revised Budget for 2019/20 set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

c.    The Revenue Budget for 2020/21 as set out in Annex 1 to this Part I report.

d.    Funding for one off revenue priorities linked to the development of capital investment totalling £3.9m as set out in paragraphs 92 to 105 of the Cabinet report.

e.    Funding of £830,000 in 2020/21 to deal with the impact of ash die back as set out in paragraphs 106 to 110 of the Cabinet report.

f.     The additions to the Capital Programme totalling £9.6m as set out in paragraphs 111 to 128 of the Cabinet report.

g.    The allocation of £2.5m from the Policy and Resources Other Reserve to top up the Investing in Hampshire Fund.

h.    That the council tax requirement for the County Council for the year beginning 1 April 2020, be £670,214,882.

i.      That the County Council’s band D council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2020 be £1,286.28, an increase of 3.99%, of which 2% is specifically for adults’ social care.

j.      The County Council’s council tax for the year beginning 1 April 2020 for properties in each tax band be:

k.    Precepts be issued totalling £670,214,882 on the billing authorities in Hampshire, requiring the payment in such instalments and on such date set by them previously notified to the County Council, in proportion to the tax base of each billing authority’s area as determined by them and as set out overleaf:

l.      The Capital & Investment Strategy for 2020/21 (and the remainder of 2019/20) as set out in Appendix 8 of the Cabinet report.

m.   The Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21 (and the remainder of 2019/20) as set out in Appendix 9 of the Cabinet report.

n.    The delegation of authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources to manage the County Council’s investments and borrowing according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as appropriate.

2. Capital Programme 2020/21 to 2022/23

That the County Council approve:

15. The capital programme for 2020/21 and the provisional programmes for 2021/22 and 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.