RESOLVED:
That Cabinet approves for recommendation to Council:
1. The General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets and Capital Programmes, along with proposed amendments to Fees & Charges as outlined in appendices 1 to 10, and having taken the consultation responses outlined in Appendix 16 conscientiously into account;
2. The proposals for continuing the Council Tax Older People’s Discount into 2019/20, having due regard to the completed Equalities and Human Rights Impact Assessment at Appendix 14;
3. The Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Investment Strategy, and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2019/20 to 2023/24 as detailed at Appendix 12;
4. The proposed London Borough of Hillingdon Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20 set out at Appendix 13;
5. That it resolves that Cabinet may utilise the general reserves or balances during 2019/20 in respect of those functions which have been reserved to the Cabinet in Article 7 of the Constitution (as set out in Schedule G of the Constitution - Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules).
That Cabinet notes:
6. The Corporate Director of Finance's comments regarding his responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2003.
Reasons for decision
Following due consideration of the consultation and feedback from residents, Cabinet recommended its budget proposals to the Council meeting on 21 February 2019 for final consideration.
Cabinet noted that the budget proposals for 2019/20 include a thirteenth successive Council Tax freeze for over 65s and a fourth year of avoiding implementation of the Social Care Precept, to be delivered whilst maintaining frontline services through use of General Balances and a 2.4% increase in Council Tax for other residents, which had been limited to 90% of the average 2018/19 increases for households in the neighbouring boroughs and equated to £0.51 pence per week for a Band D household.
Cabinet welcomed the planned investment in local infrastructure over the next few years, which would include a new swimming pool in the Yiewsley / West Drayton area and a major programme of investment in the Borough’s highways.
Cabinet noted the comments from the Policy Overview Committees and after discussion, recommended to Council a strong, balanced budget, which had been carefully developed to put residents first.
Alternative options considered and rejected
The Cabinet could have chosen to vary the proposals in its budget before recommending it to Council on 21 February 2019.
Officers to action:
Paul Whaymand, Finance
Classification: Public
The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.
Urgency Provisions
This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.