Decision details

This report sets out proposals in respect of the revenue budget for the Council for 2012/13 including Council Tax levels, and deals with the precept from the Greater London Authority (GLA), together with ancillary issues.

1.      That the Council Tax reduction of 3.75% for the Hammersmith & Fulham element for 2012/13 be noted.  For planning purposes, there will be a freeze on council tax for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

2.      The Council Tax be set for 2012/13 for each category of dwelling, as calculated in accordance with Sections 73 to 79 of the Localism Act 2011, as outlined below and in full in Appendix A:

(a)         The element of Council Tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £781.34 per Band D property in 2012/13.

(b)         The element of Council Tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be confirmed on the 14^th February and is expected to be £309.82per Band D property in 2012/13.

(c)         The overall Council Tax to be set will be £1091.16 per Band D property in 2012/13.

3.   The Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2012/13 is set at £177.496m be approved.

4.   That fees and charges as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report be approved.

5.   That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governances’ budget projections to 2014/15 be noted.

6.   That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governances’ statements under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (section 13).

7.   That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance be authorised 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 Schemes of Delegation.

8.   That all Chief Officers be required to report monthly on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates (as part of the Corporate Monitoring Report).

9.   That all Chief Officers be authorised to implement their service spending plans for 2012/13 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.

10.Members attention is drawn to S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which requires any Member who is two months or more in arrears on their Council Tax to declare their position and not to vote on any issue that could affect the calculation of the budget or Council Tax.