Agenda item

This report sets out proposals in respect of the revenue budget for the Council for 2010/11 including Council Tax levels, and deals with the precept from the Greater London Authority (GLA), together with ancillary issues.

7.03pm - The report and recommendations were moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh. An addendum to the Council Tax report on the notification of charges for street traders was circulated to Members.

In accordance with Council convention, the Leader of the Administration, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stephen Cowan, were then given unlimited time to speak on the Budget report. Councillor Reg McLaughlin also made a speech on behalf of the Opposition.

Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh (for the Administration) made a speech winding up the debate.  The report and recommendations were put to the vote.  On a motion from the floor that names be recorded, a roll-call vote was taken

            FOR                            27

(Alford, Binmore, Botterill, Bristow, Brocklebank-Fowler, Burley, Chalk, Craig, Donovan (B), Donovan (G), Ford, Gore, Greenhalgh, Gugen, Hamilton, Iggulden, Ivimy, Johnson (D), Law, de Lisle, Loveday, Phibbs, Scott-Russell, Smith, Stainton, Tobias and White)

            AGAINST                   0

            ABSTENTIONS         13

(Aherne, Campbell, Cartwright, Cowan, Dickenson, Harcourt, Homan, McLaughlin, Nandy, Powell, Umeh, Vaughan, The Mayor)

The report and recommendations were declared  CARRIED.

7.54pm -  RESOLVED:

1.      To note the Council Tax decrease, for the Hammersmith & Fulham element, of 3% for 2010/11.  For planning purposes, there will be no change for 2011/12 and 2012/13.

2.      The Council Tax be set for 2010/11 for each category of dwelling, as calculated in accordance with Sections 30 to 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as outlined below and in full in Appendix A:

(a)          The element of Council Tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £811.78 per Band D property in 2010/11;

(b)          The element of Council Tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be £309.82 per Band D property in 2010/11;

(c)           The overall Council Tax to be set will be £1,121.60 per Band D property in 2010/11;

3.   The Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2010/11  is set as £184.345m;

4.   That fees and charges are approved as set out in paragraph 5.1;

5.   That the Director of Finance and Corporate Services’ budget projections to 2012/13 be noted;

6.   That the Director of Finance and Corporate Services’ statements under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (paragraphs 6 and 7);

7.   That the Director of Finance and Corporate Services 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 2010/11 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.