The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the draft revenue budget for 2016/17.

Resolved:-

1. That the 2016/17 draft revenue budget and any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise, be endorsed.

2. That it be noted that the 2016/17 draft revenue budget has been prepared on the basis of a Council Tax increase of 1.99% and a new  Adult Social Care precept of 2%.

3. That it be noted that the 2016/17 draft revenue budget has been prepared using the provisional local government finance settlement and that the outcome from the final settlement will need to be factored into the final budget proposals for the Cabinet and Council.

4. That the 2016/17 draft revenue budget, as endorsed, be referred to all Scrutiny Committees, Business sector and Voluntary sector to inform Cabinet, which will then recommend the budget and Council Tax to  Council.

5. That the Schools budget position and the recommendations from the Schools Forum on 13th January 2016, as set out in Appendix 13 and 13(i) to the submitted report, be noted and referred to People Scrutiny Committee and then to Cabinet and Council.

6. That the direction of travel for 2017/18 and beyond, as set out in section 15 of the report, be endorsed.

Reason for Decision

Budget setting is at the core of the Council’s corporate planning framework. It is a complex process that is fully integrated with strategic and service planning. Annually, prior to the start of the financial year, the Council agrees its budget using a consistent, transparent and prudent approach.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 11^th February 2016 is a Council Function.
Referred direct to all three Scrutiny Committees.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley