(a)  In respect of 2017/18:

1.  That the forecast outturn of £123.153 million be noted

2.  That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £9.868 million, as set out in detail in Appendix 16 to the submitted report be approved.

3.  That the appropriation of the sums from earmarked reserves totalling £19.069 million, as set out in detail in Appendix 16 of the submitted report be approved.

(b)  In respect of 2018/19 and later years:

1.  That the Section 151 Officer’s (Director of Finance and Resources) report on the robustness of the proposed budget, the adequacy of the Council’s reserves and the Reserves Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be acknowledged.

2.  That a General Fund net revenue budget for 2018/19 of £122.989 million, as set out in Appendix 3 of the submitted report and any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise be approved.

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3.  That a Council Tax increase of 4.49% for the Southend-on-Sea element of the Council Tax for 2018/19, being 2.99% for general use and 1.5% for Adult Social Care be approved.

4.  That it be noted that the 2018/19 revenue budget has been prepared on the basis of using £2.5 million from the Collection Fund for the core budget to allow for a smoothing of the budget gap across the next three financial years. 

5.  That the position of the Councils preceptors be noted as follows:

•  Essex Police – approved Council Tax increase of 7.62%;

•  Essex Fire & Rescue Services – approved Council Tax increase of 2.99%;

•  Leigh-on-Sea Town Council - approved precept increase of 1.96%.

6.  That no Special Expenses be charged other than Leigh-on-Sea Town Council precept for 2018/19.

7.  That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £11.768 million, as set out in Appendix 16 of the submitted report be approved.

8.  That the appropriation of the sums from earmarked reserves totalling £6.894 million, as set out in Appendix 16 of the submitted report be approved.

9.  That the schools’ budget and its relevant distribution as recommended by the Education Board and as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report be approved.

10.  That the on-going investment required of £3.775 million, as set out in Appendices 12 and 13 of the submitted report, and the General Fund and Public Health savings required of £7.594 million, as set out Appendices 14 and 15, and the subsequent individual service cash limits for 2018/19, as contained in Appendices 3 to 11 of the report, be approved.

11.  That the direction of travel for 2019/20 and beyond, as set out in Section 11 of the submitted report, be endorsed.

12.  That the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 17 of the submitted report be approved.. 

13.  That authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make the required changes to the Council Budget following the final Local Government Finance settlement and other related Government announcements.