Agenda item

This report sets out the 2012/13 revenue budget proposals, including Council Tax levels, and deals with the precept from the Greater London Authority (GLA), together with ancillary issues.

7.05pm - 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 Council, 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 Helen Binmore and Joe Carlebach (for the Administration) and Councillors Andrew Jones and Caroline Needham (for the Opposition).

Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh (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                            25

AGAINST                   1

NON VOTING            13

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.29 pm -  RESOLVED:

(1)         To note the Council Tax reduction of 3.75% for the Hammersmith & Fulham element for 2012/13.  For planning purposes, there will be a freeze on Council Tax for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

(2)         The Council Tax be set for 2012/13 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 report:

(a)          The element of Council Tax charged for Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be £781.34 per Band D property in 2012/13.

(b)          The element of Council Tax charged by the Greater London Authority is £306.72per Band D property in 2012/13. A reduction of 1%.

(c)           The overall Council Tax to be set will be £1088.06 per Band D property in 2012/13.

(3)         The Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2012/13  is set at £200.82m.

(4)         That fees and charges are approved as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report.

(5)         That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governances’ budget projections to 2014/15 be noted.

(6)         That the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governances’ statements under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates be noted (section 13).

(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 monthlyon 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 2012/13 in accordance with the recommendations within this report and the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and relevant Schemes of Delegation.

(10)    Members attention is 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.

The Mayor reminded Members who came in late to make individual Declarations of Interest in relation to agenda item 6.4 – Councillors’ Allowances Scheme: Annual Review and Revision.