Decision details

That the Cabinet recommends that Council, for the reasons set out in this report and appendices, agrees:

1.     To note that the Council is entering the 10th year of government-imposed austerity. This year’s reduction in government investment is £3.5m, meaning a total reduction of £73m. 

2.     To apply central government’s modelled “adult social care precept” levy of 2% for 2019/20.

3.     To note that in previous years this levy was covered by the council but due to continued government cuts this has become unsustainable

4.     To adjust the Hammersmith & Fulham element of the council tax in line with inflation (2.7%) for 2019/20.

5.     To set council tax for 2019/20 for each category of dwelling, as calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011, as outlined in the table below and in full in Appendix A:

(a)       The element of council tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £762.02 per Band D property in 2019/20

(b)      The overall Council Tax to be set at £1,082.53 per Band D property in 2019/20.

(c)        The AdultSocial Care Precept will be set at 2% and forms £14.55 of the Hammersmith & Fulham Band D charge.

6.    To note the element of council tax charged by the Greater London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 will be £320.51 per Band D property in 2019/20.

7.    To set the Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2019/20 at £136.678m.£

8.    To approve £10.8m new investment on key services for residents.

9.    To approve fees and charges as set out in paragraph 6.1 including freezing charges in adult social care, children’s services and housing.

10.To approve the use of £2.0m from the additional benefit receivable from the 2018/19 London 100% business rates retention pilot.

11.To note the budget projections to 2022/23 made by the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team.

12.To note the statement of the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates (section 14).

13.To authorise the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance to collect and recover National Non-Domestic Rate and Council Tax in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

14.To require all Directors to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable.

15.To authorise Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2019/20 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment.