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Apologies were received from Cllrs: Cloke, Lewis, Murphy, Tanner and Wiles. 

The Mayor, Cllr Francois MOVED and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Barrett  SECONDED to vary the order of the agenda to take Item 4 Urgent Business ahead of Item 3.  This was AGREED. 

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Due to the recent resignation of the Ward Member for South Weald and a Ward Member from Brentwood South becoming an Independent Member (non-aligned), the Council is required to approve an amended allocation of seats on Committees.

The report and appendices are appended to these minutes. 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Aspinell SECONDED the recommendation in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

Approve the allocation of seats as set out in Appendix A.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council is required to make appointments to those Committees for the effective discharge of its functions.

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 was 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 and Investment Strategy 2023/24.

(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 Budget was considered by the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee on 8 February 2023 and has been recommended to Ordinary Council for consideration and approval.

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 were:

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 financial risk and build up in borough regeneration.

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.

Member’s thanked the Finance Team for the work on the Budget.

Cllr Hossack  MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

After a full discussion a recorded vote was taken in accordance with Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2014).

Members voted as follows:

FOR: Cllrs Francois, Barber, Bridge, Mrs Gelderbloem, Heard, Hirst, Mrs Hones, Hossack, Jakobsson, Parker, Mrs Pearson, Poppy, Reed, Russell, Slade, Wagland and White (17)

AGAINST: Cllrs Aspinell, Barrett, Dr Barrett,  M Cuthbert, Mrs N Cuthbert, Mrs Davies, Fryd, Fulcher, Haigh, Kendall, Laplain, Mynott, Naylor and Sankey (14)

The Motion was CARRIED and it was RESOLVED 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 and Investment Strategy 2023/24 in Appendix C.

R6. Approve the Fees & Charges Schedule  ...  view the full minutes text for item 367.