Apologies were received from Cllrs Davies, Lewis, Poppy and Wiles. 

Cllr Hirst declared a non pecuniary interest given that he will be co-financing some elements as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for the County. 

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 2024/25, together with financial forecast information through to 2028/29. Also included is information on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2024/25 and the Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2028/29.

      i.        Appendix A - The General Fund budget proposals for 2024/25 to 2028/29.

    ii.        Appendix B - The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2024/25 onwards.

   iii.        Appendix C - The Capital Programme 2024-29.

   iv.        Appendix D – Fees & Charges Schedule 2024/25.

    v.        Appendix E - Pay Policy Statement.

   vi.        Appendix F – Council Tax Resolution

  vii.        Appendix G – Section 151 Officer’s Assurance Statement

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 2.99% increase in Council Tax for 2024/25 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.

4) The budget will be balanced in 2024/25 & 2025/26. However, there will be a budget gap in 2026/27 which will grow during the remainder of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Housing Revenue Account

1) A balanced budget across the MTFS.

2) There will be a contribution to reserves to pay for the deficit in 2025/26 of £212k.

3) Proposed increase in rents of 7.7%.

4) Continued investment in the delivery of Decent Homes and development of Housing within the Borough.

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

Capital

1) Total capital investment of £9.2m (General Fund) and £26.1m (HRA) in 2024/25.

2) Subsequent investment of £24.1m (General Fund) and £69.1m (HRA) from 2025 to 2029

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

Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Laplain SECONDED the recommendations in the report:

Members are asked to:

R1. Approve the General Fund Budget 2024/25 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendix A.

R2. Approve a proposed Council Tax increase of 2.99% for 2024/25, the charge of Band D property increases to £210.70 per annum for Brentwood Council services only.

R3. Approve the HRA budget 2024/25 including the 30-year HRA Business Plan within Appendix B.

R4. Approve a proposed increase to rents of 7.7% for 2024/25.

R5. Approve the Capital Programme 2024-29 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 G.

Councillor Russell MOVED an amendment to the budget (as appended to these minutes) and was SECONDED by Cllr White. 

The amendment was not accepted by the mover of the original motion Cllr Aspinell. 

Members debated the proposed amendment.  After a full discussion a recorded vote was taken on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 395.

The report and appendices set out all the relevant information in support of the Council’s Treasury management strategy for 2024/25. 

Cllr Hirst requested that the Treasury Management Strategy be presented at Audit & Scrutiny Committee for post scrutiny. 

The motion was MOVED by Cllr Kendall and SECONDED by Cllr Laplain. A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

R1. To approve the council’s Treasury management strategy for 2024/25.

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 Treasury management strategy in accordance with the 2021 CIPFA prudential code.

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.

There were no items of urgent business. 

The meeting concluded at 9:27pm.