(a)          Decision(s)

(1)  That the Finance and Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its input to the budget setting process.

(2)  That, in respect of the financial year 2019/20 and the Medium Term Financial Plan, the following be approved for the purposes of Scrutiny:-

(1)          To take into budget planning the £1.916 million of proposed savings as set out within paragraph 4.6 of the Cabinet report.

(2)          To take into budget planning the £2.354 million of forecast pressures as set out within paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Cabinet report.

(3)          To increase Council Tax by an annual amount equal to £5.00 (3.35%) for a Band D property (equivalent to less than 10 pence per week),  from 1^st April 2019.

(4)          To agree that work should continue on the development of the budget proposals and for any net variance resulting to be either added to, or deducted from General Balances.

(5)          To agree the revised list of Fees and Charges set out on the schedule appended to the Cabinet report.

(6)          To approve the use of £1.48 million from the New Homes Bonus reserve to meet the costs of the Connected Knowledge Programme in 2019/20.

(7)          That the level of the Band D Council tax arising from the Special Expenses Charge for 2019/2020 should remain unchanged.

(b)          Reason(s) for Decision(s)

To facilitate ongoing development of the budget for 2019/2020 and to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the costs of transition to a unitary district council.  The Chairman of the Finance and Services Scrutiny Committee attended the Cabinet meeting and elaborated upon the Committee’s considerations (which are summarised in the Minutes of Cabinet).

(c)        Alternative Options Considered

None as such.  The Cabinet report set out the current position and highlighted the issues that had been taken into account in preparing the budget for 2019/2020.

(d)       Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Finance and Services.  That Committee would be receiving a similar update at its next meeting in January 2019.  The final budget proposals will be submitted to full Council in due course.

(e)        Conflicts of Interest / Dispensation(s)

None.