Meeting documents

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2016 recommend revenue estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2016/17.

Full Council is required to consider the Revenue Estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2016/17 and then to set out the full Council tax.

Details relating to the precept for Bucks County Council, the Thames Valley Police Authority and Bucks and Milton Keynes Fire Authority are awaited. The full report containing these details together with the full Council tax details across the district is therefore to follow.

Members are reminded that they must have regard to the Chief Financial Officer`s report when setting the Council tax.

In accordance with Standing Order 16.5 a recorded vote shall take place on decisions relating to the setting of the budget and Council tax.

The meeting then specifically turned to the recommendation outlined in minute number 63 of the Cabinet Minutes of 8 February 2016 (Revenue Budget & Council Tax Setting 2016/17) along with the supplement issued to the item outlining the final Parish / Town, Buckinghamshire County Council, Thames Valley Police Authority and Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority precepts and confirmation of the Formula Grant figures required in order to set the Council Tax.  An addendum to pages 9 and 12 of the supplement was tabled at the meeting.

The Leader of the Council in introducing the Cabinet Member for Finance to make his Budget presentation, referred to the challenging times we were living in. She commented that the focusfrom Government was changing from central support to local taxation and this would result in the Council losing its grants at a faster rate than previously anticipated. She explained that the Council would have gaps in its funding in the future, and we therefore had to consider not just the current year but future years when setting the budget.

She expressed her thanks to the Council’s Improvement and Review Commission’s Budget Task and Finish Group for their rigorous examination of the budget and the professional manner in which they conducted their task. The Leader then thanked the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Executive along with the Senior Management team and the many other officers involved in the budget preparation.

She concluded by saying that Councils were not allowed to predict a deficit and the need to approve a balanced budget was paramount. She emphasised that the work that had gone into producing the budget, especially with the changing information from Government, was time consuming and challenging and therefore she thanked everyone involved.

The Cabinet Member for Finance rose to give his budget speech starting with some

background to this year’s budget. He started by mentioning that the budget process

had been challenging, and that over the last five years the Council had kept Council Tax at  the same level. He then emphasised that he was pleased to be able to present a balanced budget to Council for 2016/17.

He said as with last year, the Council continued to work in extremely challenging times especially with the challenges detailed in the final version of the four year financial settlement. He informed Members that this included the reduction to zero of the Revenue Support Grant by 2018/19, and over a 50% decrease in New Homes Bonus funding. The Council would receive significantly less funding than had been originally projected, approximately 2.6m less. It was noted that a key reason for the reduction in funding was the assumption that Councils with lower quartile council tax, including Wycombe District Council would increase their share of tax by a maximum of £5 on Band D properties for 2016/17. The four year settlement could be revisited should the condition of the national finances significantly deteriorate. He commented that the government had assumed in its financial calculations that the council tax base would grow by 2%, although the recent trend had averaged around 1%.

The Cabinet Member also reminded Members of the many efficiencies and revenue generating projects that the Council was involved in, which would offset the 40% cumulative decline from the Revenue Support Grant. He continued by saying that the Council would continue to deliver sustainable efficiencies where it could, to increase other income streams.

He went on to say that there were continuing risks to the Council’s budget, including the transfer of business rates income. However, he confirmed that the Council had budgeted in detail for the forthcoming financial year, which included a Contingency Fund. He confirmed that the Council continued to have healthy reserves.

The Cabinet Member for Finance stated that he did not see any alternative but to recommend that the council tax be increased. He confirmed that the Council would continue to review income generation and possible cost reductions which had been identified by the Cabinet and the Improvement & Review Commission.

He then made mention of further improvements to facilities and services that would be possible due to the proposed increase, these included additional resources for the Local Plans for the District and Princes Risborough, reviewing the leisure facilities in Marlow and Princes Risborough, improving the provision of temporary accommodation, and continuing with the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan.

The Cabinet Member concluded by saying that any increase in tax, however modest, would be unwelcome news to our residents due to the challenging economic period. However, he confirmed that the Council would continue to have one of the lowest levels of Council Tax in the Country and in Buckinghamshire. 

He then commended the Budgets to Council and asked for the recommendations to be approved.

The Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Raja, rose to respond to the Budget speech, he commented on his Group’s scepticism on the robustness of the budget estimates. He commented that his Group felt that budgets should be balanced and sound, based on realistic assumptions which would provide the Council with stability and sustainability.

He commented that based on previous incorrect budget assumptions with regards to the ANPR scheme, demolition of Wycombe Sports Centre and Handy X Hub, it was apparent that the Council struggled with forecasting expenditure.

The Leader of the Labour Group then stated that there was not much in the Conservative administration’s budget that his group supported, given the financial challenges facing the nation in the future. However, he then stated, that future cuts proposed by the central Conservative Government would adversely affect the services that local authorities offer, with many people already using food banks, being evicted and young people struggling to find work. He then commented that there were areas of Council activity which needed to be strengthened and extended to meet the needs and expectations of its population.

He raised some concerns with regards to the condition of roads, footpaths, insufficient school placements and the lack of A&E provision within the District. He requested that dual role Members note these points and consider them during deliberations at Bucks County Council.

The Leader of the Labour Group also commented that in these difficult financial times the Council should be rigorous in ensuring that the best value for money was achieved for the tax payer.

The Leader of the East Wycombe Independent Group, Cllr M Knight, also rose to present his Group’s comments on the budget proposals, he commended the work of the Head of Financial Services and officers for the way in which they had managed the Council’s finances in an extremely difficult and testing time for the Council.

He acknowledged the challenging times facing the Council, in light of Central Government’s austerity measures. He confirmed that he understood the deficit that the Council faced over the next 6 years and, therefore within this context, it was inevitable that taxes would need to rise. He welcomed the commitment that the Council had made by retaining the Council Tax Reduction for the most vulnerable within our community. He commented that his Group felt that the most vulnerable in society must be protected and that crucial charity and voluntary organisations, under increased pressure, should be supported in these difficult times.

He commented that the budget did not reflect the Leader’s priorities of young people and housing. He mentioned that these priorities had not been reflected in the budget. He then made various suggestions to address the Council’s housing needs. He stated that because of the rising costs and lack of suitable housing Wycombe District was becoming out of reach for vulnerable, young and low paid individuals.

The Leader of the East Wycombe Independent Group, concluded that, in principle, a tax rise was okay, but not for more of the same. His Group wanted to see a radical change of how the Council’s assets and investments were used to ensure that the Wycombe District became a thriving place of opportunity for all.

Other Members made a number of remarks in respect of the Budget proposals, in particular the fact that the Council had managed to previously freeze Council Tax for a number of years was mentioned.

The Cabinet Member for Finance made some closing remarks and asked Members to support his proposed recommendations. His proposals were seconded by Councillor Miss K Wood, Leader of the Council.

The Budget was then put to the recorded vote.

In accordance with subsection (5) of the Council’s Standing Order 16 (Voting) the voting of the Members in respect of these Council Tax setting decisions was recorded as follows:

In favour of the recommendations:-

Councillors J Adey, Z Ahmed, M Appleyard, D Barnes, S Broadbent, Miss S Brown, D Carroll, M Clarke, A Collingwood, R Farmer, R Gaffney, A Green, G Hall, A Hussain, M Hussain JP, Maz Hussain, D Johncock, D Knights, Mrs J Langley, T Lee, N Marshall, H McCarthy, I McEnnis, R Newman, Mrs C Oliver, B Pearce, S Raja, S Saddique, J Savage, R Scott, D Shakespeare, Mrs J Teesdale, N Teesdale, A Turner, P Turner, D Watson, C Whitehead, R Wilson, Miss K Wood and L Wood.

Abstentions:-

Councillors K Ahmed, M Asif, Ms A Baughan, H Bull, M Davy, S Graham, M Hashmi, M Knight, R Raja and Ms J Wassell.

In Favour:- 40

Against:- 0

Abstention:- 10

(Councillors Mrs L Clarke OBE, A Hill, and M Harris were not present in the meeting when the above vote was taken.)

RESOLVED: That (i) the recommendations contained in Minute 63 of the Cabinet Meeting held on 8 February 2015 be approved and adopted; and

(ii)   it be noted that the following amounts have been calculated for the year 2016/17 in accordance with regulations made in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

(A)66,372.88;being theamount calculated bythe Council,in accordance withthe LocalAuthorities (Calculation ofCouncil TaxBase) (England) Regulations2012 ("the Regulations")as itsCouncil TaxBase for theyear. Intotal forthe Districta £1tax ona band"D" equivalent   propertywill raise £66,372.88.

(B)

Parish /Town Area                                    CouncilTax Base

Bledlow-cum-Saunderton                                                              1200.31

Bradenham                                                                                    226.09

Chepping Wycombe                                                                      6319.36

Downley                                                                                        1969.52

Ellesborough                                                                                  440.07

Fawley (ParishMeeting)                                                                135.46

Great &Little Hampden                                                                 165.47

Great &Little Kimblecum Marsh                                                   474.18

Great Marlow                                                                                 717.92

Hambleden                                                                                     835.11

Hazlemere                                                                                     3975.22

Hedsor (ParishMeeting)                                                                 80.18

High WycombeTown                                                                   21505.14

Hughenden                                                                                   3934.44

Ibstone                                                                                           144.52

Lacey Green                                                                                 1235.65

Lane End                                                                                       1385.10

Little Marlow                                                                                   791.25

Longwick-cum-Ilmer                                                                       680.72

Marlow Bottom                                                                              1511.84

Marlow Town                                                                                 6645.20

Medmenham                                                                                  514.27

Piddington &Wheeler End                                                             263.27

Princes Risborough                                                                       3483.90

Radnage                                                                                        380.60

Stokenchurch                                                                                1916.00

Turville                                                                                           218.33

WestW'-Parish Council                                                                 540.66

Wooburn andBourne End                                                            4683.10

Grand Total                                                                                  66,372.88

beingthe amountscalculated bythe Council, inaccordance withthe Regulations, asthe amountsof its CouncilTax Basefor theyear for dwellingsin thoseparts ofits areato which oneor moreof thespecial items relate;

(ii)                                   That the followingamounts benow calculated bythe Councilfor the year2016/2017 inaccordance with Sections31 to36 ofthe Local GovernmentFinance Act1992 ("the Act").

(A) £87,018,017 being theaggregate ofthe amounts whichthe Councilestimates forthe items setout inSection 31(A)(2)of the Act;taking intoaccount all preceptsissued toit byparish councils asat thedate ofthe meeting.

(B) £75,498,558 being theaggregate ofthe amounts whichthe Councilestimates forthe items setout inSection 31(A)(3)of the Act;

(C) £11,519,459 being theamount bywhich the aggregateat (ii)(A)above exceeds theaggregate at(ii)(B) above, calculatedby theCouncil in accordancewith Section31(A)(4) of the Act,as itsCouncil Tax requirement forthe year.

(D) £173.56being  the  amount  at  (ii)(C)  above divided by theamount at(i)(A) calculatedby theCouncil, in accordancewith Section31(B)(1) of the Act,as thebasic amountof its counciltax forthe year;.

(E) £ 2,758,897 beingthe aggregate amountof all specialitems referredto inSection 34(1) ofthe Act;

(F) £131.99 beingthe amount  at  (ii)(D)  above lessthe resultgiven bydividing the amountat (ii)(E)above bythe amount at(i)(A) above, calculatedby the Council,in accordancewith Section 34(2)of theAct, asthe basic amountof itsCouncil Taxfor the yearfor dwellingsin thoseparts of itsarea towhich nospecial item relates:

(G)

Part ofCouncil's Area                                                        2016-17

Bledlow-cum-Saunderton                                                      147.11

Bradenham                                                                            162.95

CheppingWycombe                                                              186.01

Downley                                                                                 177.69

Ellesborough                                                                          176.57

Great &Little Hampden                                                         147.61

Great &Little Kimblecum Marsh                                           195.26

Great Marlow                                                                         149.03

Hambleden                                                                            170.31

Hazlemere                                                                             194.25

High WycombeTown                                                             152.02

Hughenden                                                                            182.21

Ibstone                                                                                   180.43

LaceyGreen                                                                          152.22

Lane End                                                                               214.55

Little Marlow                                                                           191.53

Longwick-cum-Ilmer                                                               165.62

Marlow Bottom                                                                       152.96

Marlow Town                                                                         180.57

Medmenham                                                                          169.15

Piddington& WheelerEnd                                                     207.96

Princes Risborough                                                                227.2

Radnage                                                                                 198.2

Stokenchurch                                                                         165.97

Turville                                                                                   161.76

West Wycombe                                                                      212.63

Wooburnand BourneEnd                                                     184.96

beingthe amountsgiven byadding tothe amount at(ii)(F) abovethe amountsof eachof the specialitems relatingto dwellingsin those partsof theCouncil’s areamentioned above dividedin eachcase bythe appropriate amountat (i)(B)above, calculatedby the Council,in accordancewith Section34(3) of the Act,as thebasic amountsof itsCouncil Tax forthe yearfor dwellingsin thoseparts of itsarea towhich oneor moreof thespecial items relate.

beingthe amountsgiven by multiplyingthe amountsat (ii)(F)and (ii)(G) aboveby thenumber which,in the proportionset outin Section5(1) of theAct, isapplicable todwellings listed ina particularvaluation band dividedby thenumber whichin that proportionis applicableto dwellings listedin valuationband D,calculated by theCouncil, inaccordance with Section36(1) ofthe Act,as the amountsto betaken intoaccount for the yearin respectof categoriesof dwellings listed indifferent valuation bands.

(iii)                               That it benoted forthe year 2016/2017the Buckinghamshire CountyCouncil, thePolice andCrime Commissioner ThamesValley and theBuckinghamshire andMilton Keynes FireAuthority havestated the followingamounts inprecepts issued tothe Council,in accordancewith Section 40of theAct foreach ofthe categories ofdwellings shownbelow.

Valuation Bands

PreceptingAuthority             A             B             C               D                 E                 F                 G                 H

(iv)                        That having calculatedthe aggregatein eachcase ofthe amounts at(ii)(H) and(iii) above,the Councilin accordancewith  Section  30  of   theAct, herebysets thefollowing amounts  as  the  amounts  of   CouncilTax forthe year 2016/2017for eachof thecategories of  dwellings shown below.

(v)                         That in accordancewith sections52ZB and52ZC ofthe Act itis determinedthat theCouncil’s relevantbasic amountof Council Tax for2016/2017 isnot excessive.

(I) CouncilTax ReductionScheme

The Councilintroduced itsown schemeafter thegovernment abolishedthe nationalCouncil TaxBenefit system. Therules ofthe 2016/17scheme are unchangedfrom the2015/16 scheme.