At 9.00pm, a vote was taken on Standing Orders and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to extend the meeting for a further 30 minutes. 

The report and appendices set out all the relevant information in support of the Council’s Budget for General Fund services and Council Tax for 2023/24, together with financial forecast information through to 2025/26. Also included is information on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2023/24 and the Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26.

(i) Appendix A - The General Fund budget proposals for 2023/24 to 2025/26.

(ii) Appendix B - The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2023/24 onwards.

(iii) Appendix C - The Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26.

(iv) Appendix D – Fees & Charges Schedule 2023/24.

(v) Appendix E - Pay Policy Statement.

(vi) Appendix F - Section 151 Officer’s Assurance Statement and useful

information.

(vii) Appendix G - Corporate Strategy Budget Summary.

The Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee is required to consider the proposals and make recommendations to Ordinary Council for approval on 1 March 2023.

The report summarised the detailed service budgets, together with known adjustments including the impact of the provisional central government grant funding.

The key elements of the proposed budget are:

General Fund

1) A proposed 3% increase in Council Tax for 2023/24 for Brentwood Borough Council services.

2) Earmarked Reserves to set aside appropriate balances to mitigate future

3) Future uncertainty of Local Government Financing.

Housing Revenue Account

1) For 2023/24 a budget that delivers a surplus of £26k.

2) Proposed increase in rents of 7% per annum.

3) Continued investment in the delivery of Decent Homes and development of

Housing within the Borough.

4) Significant investment in the Strategic Housing Delivery Programme ensuring the 30-year business plan is sustainable.

Capital

1) Total capital investment of £36.3 million (General Fund) and £22.0 million

(HRA) in 2023/24.

2) Subsequent investment of £20.2 million (General Fund) and £50.3 million (HRA) from 2024 to 2026.

At 9.30pm, a vote was taken on Standing Orders and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to extend the meeting for a further 30 minutes. 

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the

recommendation in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED.

Members were asked to:

R1. Approve the General Fund Budget 2023/24 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendix A.

R2. Approve a proposed Council Tax increase of 3% for 2023/24, the  charge of Band D property increases to £204.58 per annum for Brentwood Council services only.

R3. Approve the HRA budget 2023/24 including the 30-year HRA Business Plan within Appendix B.

R4. Approve a proposed increase to rents of 7% for 2023/24.

R5. Approve the Capital Programme in Appendix C.

R6. Approve the Fees & Charges Schedule in Appendix D.

R7. Approve the Pay Policy Statement in Appendix E.

R8. To note the Section 151 Officers Assurance Statement in Appendix F.

Reasons for Recommendation

Effective financial management underpins all the priorities for the Council and will enable the Council to operate within a sustainable budget environment.

The Council is required to approve the Budget as part of the Budget and Policy Framework