Members were advised that the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) set out the key financial management principles and budget assumptions.  It was then used as the framework for the detailed budget setting process to ensure that the Council’s resources were managed effectively in order to meet its statutory responsibilities and deliver the priorities of the Council, over the medium term.

Cllr Lloyd MOVED and Cllr Aspinell SECONDED the recommendations in the report and Members gave their views on the key areas of the initial budget, ie

(i)          Proposed and Anticipated Savings

(ii)          Proposed Budget Investment

(iii)         Working Balance & Reserves

(iv)        Council Tax

During the debate Cllr Aspinell referred to paragraph 4.23 of the report which referenced the Council's ability to consider investment in property.  In light of recent news he requested that Members support his proposal that officers contact Tesco in relation to their land which Hopefield Animal Sanctuary  currently occupied to engage in discussion regarding the future of the Sanctuary and whether there was a possibility of acquiring, renting or leasing  the land.

It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.              The key areas of the initial budget should be considered by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee, with comments and feedback to be received by this Committee at its meeting on 11 February 2015.

2.              Officers be requested to engage in a dialogue with Tesco in relation to their land currently occupied by Hopefield Animal Sanctuary regarding the possibility of acquiring, renting or leasing the land to protect the Sanctuary.

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