Decision details

To approve the Council's General Fund Revenue budget proposals for consultation.

RESOLVED that:

1.            the draft budget proposals for 2018/19 as the basis for consultation with the Overview & Scrutiny Commission and other interested parties or individuals is agreed.

2.            the Treasury Management Strategy and associated documents at Annexe E, of the Chief Executive/Borough Treasurer’s report, is agreed and request that the Governance and Audit Committee review each of the key elements.

3.            the 2018/19 Schools Budget be set at the eventual level of grant income plus any accumulated balances is agreed, with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning authorised to make amendments and agree budgets for schools and services centrally managed by the Council.

4.            the authority to set town centre car park charges is delegated to the Regeneration Committee is agreed.

5.            the bid submitted by Bracknell Forest Council on behalf of the Berkshire Unitaries to DCLG to form a pilot business rates pool across the County is supported, that would see a greater proportion of business rates collected being retained locally to support priority infrastructure projects. 

6.            the virements relating to the 2017/18 budget as set out in Annexes F and G, of the Chief Executive/Borough Treasurer’s report,  are approved and recommended that those over £0.100m to be approved by Council.

The recommendations are designed toallow the Executive to consult on its draft budget proposals for 2018/19 as required by the Local Government Act 2003.

The range of options being considered is included in the Borough Treasurer/Chief Executive’s report and Annexes.

None

Information will be provided on the Council's website; a letter will be sent to all business ratepayers and there will be a dedicated mailbox for comments.

Targeted consultation exercises will be undertaken with business rate payers, the Schools Forum, Parish Councils and voluntary organisations. In addition, this report and all the supporting information will be publicly available to any individual or group who wish to comment on any proposal included within it. Internal consultation is via officers, members and more specifically the Overview & Scrutiny Commission and its panels.