Agenda item

Revenue Budget 2022/2023

Minutes:

Councillor C. Clement-Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report which had been commended to Council form Cabinet on the 28th February 2022. It was highlighted that this year was a landmark budget as Council was being asked to freeze Council Tax at 2021/2022 levels for the first time since its formation. The budget also included monies to improve essential services, schools and education. In addition, 2.8 million from reserves would be utilised to support one off Covid recovery investments.  Also, to increase investments to improve the look of streets and neighbourhoods and youth services to help the young people of Neath Port Talbot.  It was noted that this positive financial position was not only due to the financial settlement received from Welsh Government but due to the management of previous budgets.  Members thanked the Chief Finance Officer asked that their appreciation be cascaded to the Finance Team for all the work they have undertaken in developing the budget report being considered at Council today.

 

Following on, discussion took place on the proposal to continue Council Tax at 2021/2022 levels.  Members queried whether there was any opportunity to reduce Council Tax by 2.75%  rather than freeze it at 2021/2022 levels, funded from general reserves.  Concern was expressed at the level of deprivation in Neath Port Talbot County Borough and the continuing rise in the cost of living and its effect on residents. 

 

Members were reminded of the recent proposal to develop a Neath Port Talbot Hardship Fund by setting aside £2 million from reserve with the detail of the fund to be developed and reported back for Members consideration at a future date.

 

Following on, it was highlighted that any reduction in Council Tax and reducing general reserves would not be prudent or sustainable going forward into future years.

 

An amendment was put to Council and there followed a request for a recorded vote, on the following amendment, which received the requisite support in accordance with the requirements of Section 14.5 of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution – Rules of Procedure.

 

That the 2022/2023 Band D equivalent for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council will be £1,614.37 and that there be a 2.75% reduction in Council Tax as opposed to a freeze as derailed in the report with the gap of 2.75% being funded from the general reserve (representing a sum of £1.669m be taken for 2022/2023).

 

For the Amendment:

 

Councillors:

S. Bamsey, H.C.Clarke, N.E.Davies, R.Davies,

C.Edwards, J. Evans, W.Griffiths, J.Hale, S.Harris, N.Hunt, S.K.Hunt, J.Hurley, C.James, H.Jones, J.Jones, S.Jones, S.Knoyle, D.Lewis, A.Llewelyn, L.M.Purcell, A.J. Richards, M.Spooner and C.Williams.

 

 

Against the Amendment:

 

Councillors:

A.Aubrey, D.Cawsey, C.Clement-Williams, S.Lynch, A.P.H. Davies, O.Davies, S.Freeguard, C.Galsworthy, M.Harvey, H.N.James, C.J.Jones, D.Jones, L.C.Jones, R.G.Jones, D.Keogh, E.V.Latham, A.R.Lockyer, J.Miller, S.Miller, S.Paddison, S.M.Penry, M.Protheroe, S.Pursey, S.Rahaman, P.A.Rees, S.Renkes, S.Reynolds, P.D.Richards, A.J.Taylor, R.L.Taylor, D.Whitelock, A.Wingrave, R.W. Wood and A.R.Woolcock.

 

 

Abstention:

 

Councillor:           J.D.Morgan

 

Not Present for Vote:

 

Councillors:

C.M.Crowley, R.Mizen, D.M.Peters and R.Phillips

 

         

As a result of the above the amendment fell and there followed a request for a recorded vote, on the substantive recommendation contained in the circulated report, which received the requisite support in accordance with the requirements of Section 14.5 of Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution – Rules of Procedure.

 

 

For the Recommendation:

 

Councillors:

A.Aubrey, D.Cawsey, C.Clement-Williams, S.Lynch, A.P.H. Davies, O.Davies, S.Freeguard, C.Galsworthy, M.Harvey, H.N.James, C.J.Jones, D.Jones, L.C.Jones, R.G.Jones, D.Keogh, E.V.Latham, A.R.Lockyer, J.Miller, S.Miller, S.Paddison, S.M.Penry, M.Protheroe, S.Pursey, S.Rahaman, P.A.Rees, S.Renkes, S.Reynolds, P.D.Richards, A.J.Taylor, R.L.Taylor, D.Whitelock, A.Wingrave, R.W. Wood and A.R.Woolcock.

 

 

Against the Recommendation:

 

Councillors:

S. Bamsey, H.C.Clarke, N.E.Davies, R.Davies,

C.Edwards, J. Evans, W.Griffiths, J.Hale, S.Harris, N.Hunt, S.K.Hunt, J.Hurley, C.James, H.Jones, J.Jones, S.Jones, S.Knoyle, D.Lewis, A.Llewelyn, L.M.Purcell, A.J. Richards, M.Spooner and C.Williams.

 

Abstention:

 

Councillor:           J.D.Morgan

 

Not Present for Vote:

 

Councillors:         C.M.Crowley, R.Mizen, D.M.Peters and R.Phillips

 

 

RESOLVED:

Having given due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment:

 

1.      The Council’s Revenue Budget and        service plan investments for 2022/2023 as set out in Appendix 1 and 2 to the           circulated report be approved.

 

2.      That the £2.8m from the Insurance reserve to be used to deliver a number of one off investments to support Covid recovery including the recruitment of staff to deliver work around the best start in life.

 

3.      That delegated authority be granted to the appropriate Corporate Director following consultation with the Council Leader, relevant Cabinet Member and Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Committee too:

 

·        Set Fees and Charges (Executive) for the financial year 2022/2023.

 

·        Set Fees and Charges (Executive) which are applicable in any subsequent financial year and which, in the opinion of the relevant Corporate Director, need to be set in advance of the financial year for operational reasons.

 

4.      That delegated authority be granted to the appropriate Corporate Director following consultation with the Council Leader, Deputy Leader and Chair of the relevant Non-executive committee to:

 

·        Set Fees and Charges for (non-executive) functions for the year 2022/2023.

 

·        Set Fees and Charges (non-executive) which are applicable in any subsequent financial year and which, in the opinion of the Corporate Director, need to be set in advance of that financial year for operational reasons.

 

5.      That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, to make any amendment necessary through the use of general reserves, as a consequence of the final settlement due 2nd March 2022.

 

6.      That there be no increase in Council Tax in 2022/2023 with tax levels being frozen at 2021/2022 values.  The 2022/2023 Band D equivalent for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council will remain at £1,660.02.

 

Supporting documents: