The report and appendices set out all the relevant information in support of setting the Councils Budget for General Fund services and Council Tax for 2022/23, together with financial forecast information through to 2024/25. Also included is information on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2022/23 and the Capital Programme 2022/23 to 2024/25.

 

(i)         Appendix A - The General Fund budget proposals for 2022/23 to 2024/25.

(ii)        Appendix B - The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2022/23 onwards.

(iii)       Appendix C - The Capital and Investment Strategy for 2022/23 including the Capital Programme 2022/23 to 2024/25

(iv)       Appendix D – Fees & Charges Schedule 2022/23

(v)        Appendix E - Pay Policy Statement

(vi)       Appendix F - Section 151 Officers Assurance Statement and useful information

(vii)      Appendix G - Corporate Strategy Budget Summary

(viii)     Appendix H – Council Tax Resolution 2022/23

 

 

The budget was considered by the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee on 2nd February 2022 and has been recommended to Ordinary Council for consideration and approval.

 

The figures presented summarise the detailed service budgets, together with known adjustments including the impact of the provisional central government grant funding along with financial implications of COVID-19.

 

The key elements of the proposed budget are:

 

General Fund

 

1)         £5 increase in Council Tax for 2022/23 for Brentwood 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 2022/23 a budget that delivers a small surplus of £34k.

2)         Increase in rents of CPI plus 1% per annum; equating to 4.1%.

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 £41.420 million in 2022/23

2)         Subsequent investment of £38.9 million & £22.3million from 2023 to 2025.

 

No amendments to the Budget 2022/2023 were received prior to the meeting.

 

Member’s thanked the Finance Team for the work on the Budget, especially Mrs Van Mellaerts and Miss Barnes.

 

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker 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 Barber, Bridge, J Cloke, Mrs Gelderbloem, Heard, Hirst, Mrs Hones, Hossack, Jakobsson, McLaren, Nolan, Parker, Mrs Pearson, Poppy,

Mrs Pound, Reed, Ms Sanders, Tanner, Wagland, White & Wiles (21)

 

AGAINST: Cllrs Aspinell, Barrett, Dr Barrett,  Cuthbert, Mrs Davies, Fryd, Fulcher, Haigh, Kendall, Laplain, Lewis, Mynott, Naylor (13)

 

ABSTAIN: (0)

 

The Motion was CARRIED and it was RESOLVED to:

 

1.     Approval the General Fund Budget 2022/23 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendix A

 

2.     Approve that Council Tax has a £5 increase for 2022/23, the charge of Band D property increases to £198.63 per annum for Brentwood Council services only

 

3.     Approve the HRA budget 2022/23 including the 30-year HRA Business Plan within Appendix B

 

4.     Approve an increase to rents for 2022/23 by CPI plus 1%, a total of 4.1%

 

5.     Approve the Capital and Investment Strategy in Appendix C including the Capital Programme

 

6.     Approve the Fees & Charges Schedule in Appendix D

 

7.     Approve the Pay Policy Statement in Appendix E

 

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

 

9.   That:

(1)       The formal resolutions to set the Council Tax level for 2022/23 be made as set out in Appendix H (page 4 to 8) are approved.

And in the absence of a formal precept demand from Essex County Council, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner;

 

(2)          Delegated authority is given to the Section 151 Officer to notify all members of the Council once the precept demand is received; and to set the overall Council tax level for 2022/23 should there be any changes that effect Table 2, 3, 6 & Table 7 in Appendix H.

ii.             

 

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