Agenda item

This report sets out the Council’s 2013/14 revenue budget proposals which includes the Council tax levels, detailed Savings and Growth Schedules, budget risks, a brief overview of the new local government finance system (business rate scheme) and its impact on Hammersmith and Fulham, new responsibilities to be undertaken by the Council and also an Equalities Impact Assessment.

7.07pm - The report and recommendations were moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Nicholas Botterill.

An addendum was circulated which included some changes to the figures in the report.

In accordance with Council convention, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Nicholas Botterill, and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stephen Cowan, were then given unlimited time to speak on the Budget report.  Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Marcus Ginn, Helen Binmore and Andrew Johnson (for the Administration) and Councillors Max Schmid, Andrew Jones and PJ Murphy (for the Opposition).

Councillor Nicholas Botterill (for the Administration) made a speech winding up the debate.  The report and recommendations were put to the vote and a roll-call was requested:

FOR                                                                                   NOT VOTING

FOR                         27

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING          13

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.34pm RESOLVED:

(1)         To approve a Council Tax reduction of 3% for the Hammersmith & Fulham element for 2013/14. 

(2)         The council tax be set for 2013/14 for each category of dwelling, as calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011, as outlined below and in full in Appendix A of the addendum:

(a)          The element of council tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £757.90 per Band D property in 2013/14.

(b)          The element of Council Tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be confirmed on the 25 February and is expected to be £303.00per Band D property in 2013/14. A reduction of 1%.

(c)           The overall Council Tax to be set will be £1,060.90 per Band D property in 2013/14.

(3)         The Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2013/14 set at £181.944m, be approved.

(4)         That fees and charges are approved as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

(5)         That the budget projections made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance to 2015/16 be noted.

(6)         That the statement made by the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (section 14 of the report).

(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 2013/14 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.