Agenda item

To agree for the reasons set out in this report and appendices:

1.    To increase the Hammersmith & Fulham element of Council Tax by 2.99% as modelled by the government in its spending power calculations for local government.

2.    To apply the Adult Social Care precept levy of 2% as modelled bythe government in its spending power calculations for local government.

3.    To approve a balanced budget for 2024/25 as set out in the report, including the underlying principles and assumptions.

4.    To approve £10.7m of new investment on key services for residents.

5.    To approve fees and charges, as set out in Appendix E, including freezing charges in adult social care, children’s services, and General Fund housing.

6.    To approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and to note the budget projections to 2027/28 made by the Strategic Director of Finance in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team. (Appendix B)

7.    To note the statement of the Strategic Director of Finance, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates (paragraph 56).

8.    To approve the reserves strategy and forecast as set out in Appendix H.

9.    To require all Directors to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable.

10. To authorise Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2024/25 in accordance with the recommendations within this report, the council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment.

11. Set the council’s element of Council Tax for 2024/25 for each category of dwelling, as outlined in the table below and in full in Appendix A and calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011.

12.  To note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget, the element of Council Tax to be charged by the Greater London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwellings as shown in the table below.

13.         That the overall Council Tax to be set at £1,386.77 per Band D property as follows:

Councillor Ree stated that this was a particularly difficult time for local government finances with a number of councils across the country unable to meet their financial obligations. He reassured Hammersmith and Fulham residents who relied on Council services that this Council would continue to provide those services. This was a well-run Council that was able to meet all of its financial obligations and managed to set up another balanced budget for the coming year despite those difficulties.

This budget protected both the core services and also those unique services the Council provided, such as free home care, free breakfast for primary school children, the Local Law Enforcement Teams, the council tax support scheme, the ethical debt collection policy amongst others. As part of this budget they were also investing £10.7 million pounds in new services. All this was only possible because of the ruthlessly financially efficient approach taken by the Council to budgeting.

Councillor Alford stated that she wanted to ensure the budget balanced, particularly the housing revenue account, and thanked Councillor Ree’s reassurance to that effect.

Councillor Coleman stressed that this had been the most difficult year for setting a budget in all his years as a Councillor. Therefore, he was extremely proud of the work done by officers in this Council in bringing in a budget which balanced and protected services.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

To agree for the reasons set out in this report and appendices:

1.    To increase the Hammersmith & Fulham element of Council Tax by 2.99% as modelled by the government in its spending power calculations for local government.

2.    To apply the Adult Social Care precept levy of 2% as modelled bythe government in its spending power calculations for local government.

3.    To approve a balanced budget for 2024/25 as set out in the report, including the underlying principles and assumptions.

4.    To approve £10.7m of new investment on key services for residents.

5.    To approve fees and charges, as set out in Appendix E, including freezing charges in adult social care, children’s services, and General Fund housing.

6.    To approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and to note the budget projections to 2027/28 made by the Strategic Director of Finance in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team. (Appendix B)

7.    To note the statement of the Strategic Director of Finance, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates (paragraph 56).

8.    To approve the reserves strategy and forecast as set out in Appendix H.

9.    To require all Directors to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable.

10. To authorise Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2024/25 in accordance with the recommendations within this report, the council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment.

11. Set the council’s element of Council Tax for 2024/25 for each category of dwelling, as outlined in the table below and in full in Appendix A and calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of the Localism Act 2011.

12.  To note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget, the element of Council Tax to be charged by the Greater London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwellings as shown in the table below.

13.         That the overall Council Tax to be set at £1,386.77 per Band D property as follows: