Agenda item

The 2016/17 revenue budget proposals are set out in this report, including; council tax levels; savings and growth proposals; changes to fees and charges; budget risks, reserves and balances; and equalities impact assessments.

7.17pm - In accordance with Council convention, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Greg Smith, were given unlimited time to speak on the Budget report.

Speeches on the report were also made by Councillors Max Schmid, Sue Macmillan and PJ Murphy (for the Administration).

Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Administration) made a speech winding up the debate. The report and recommendations were put to the vote and a roll-call was undertaken, in accordance with Council convention when voting on the budget:

FOR                            24

AGAINST                   19

NOT VOTING            1

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

9:03pm – RESOLVED

2.1A freeze in the Hammersmith & Fulham element of the council tax charge

2.2Not apply the “social care precept” levy. This means H&F residents will pay council tax at 3.3% below the level modelled (2% social care precept and 1.3% for council tax) by the Government for the coming year.

2.3Council tax be set for 2016/17 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:

(a)      The element of council tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £727.81 per Band D property in 2016/17.

(b)      The element of council tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be £276.00 per Band D property in 2016/17

(c)      Social Care Precept set at nil.

(d)      The overall Council Tax to be set at £1,003.81 per Band D property in 2016/17.

2.4The Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2016/17 is set at £153.507m.

2.5Fees and charges are approved as set out in paragraph 6.1.

2.6The budget projections, made by the Strategic Finance Director to 2019/20, be noted.

2.6       The statement made by the Strategic Finance Director under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (section 14).

2.7       The Strategic Finance Director 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.

2.8       That all Directors be required to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable.

2.9       That Directors be authorised to implement their service spending plans for 2016/17 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.

2.10      Members’ attention were 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.