Agenda item

This report sets out proposals in respect of the revenue budget for the Council for 2011/12 including Council Tax levels, and deals with the precept from the Greater London Authority (GLA), together with ancillary issues.

7.02pm - The report and recommendations were moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh.

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.  Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Botterill and Binmore (for the Administration) and Councillors Jones and Homan (for the Opposition).

Under Council Procedure Rule 15 (e) (v), Councillor Mark Loveday moved, seconded by Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler that the Leader’s time limit be extended.  This was agreed.  Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh (for the Administration) made a speech winding up the debate.  The report and recommendations were put to the vote. 

FOR                            28

AGAINST                   12

ABSTENTIONS         0

The report and recommendations were declared  CARRIED.

8.19pm -  RESOLVED:

1.      To note the Council Tax freeze  for the Hammersmith & Fulham element for 2011/12.  For planning purposes, there will be no change for 2012/13 and 2013/14.

2.      That the Council Tax be set for 2011/12 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 of the report:

(a)          The element of Council Tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £811.78 per Band D property in 2011/12.

(b)          The element of Council Tax charged by the Greater London Authority will be £309.82 per Band D property in 2011/12.

(c)           The overall Council Tax to be set will be £1,121.60 per Band D property in 2011/12.

3.   That the Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2011/12 be set as £189.289m.

4.   That fees and charges be approved as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report.

5.   That the Director of Finance and Corporate Services’ budget projections to 2013/14 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 (section 13 of the report).

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 2011/12 in accordance with the recommendations within the report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.

10. That Members note 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.