Council received a report of Cabinet, including the original report presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 19 January 2015 and an additional report from the Shared Director of Finance setting out the Council Tax Resolution for 2015/2016.

The Mayor moved the budget report incorporating the following amendments to the minutes from Cabinet, which was seconded by Councillor Watkin –

·       £250,000 to be added to the Capital Programme for work to community centres;

·       Saving of £1,650 would not be taken from the Democratic Services budget.

Councillor Bell moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor Khan –

·               £30,000 for weekend burials (paid from the net revenue from fees and charges) in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18

·               £40,000 for free graffiti and bulky waste removal in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18

·               Cut the cost of the Mayor’s office £70,198 – 2015/16; £120,190 – 2016/17; £120,190 – 2017/18

·               Cut £1,680 for the cost of mobile phones for Cabinet in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18

·               £50,000 from Reserves for Watford Women’s Centre for three years, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18

·               £1,500,000 from Reserves for St Albans Road 2015/16

Members debated the original motion and the amendment.

During the debate Councillor Sharpe raised a point of order following an allegation made by Councillor Dhindsa.

After consultation with the Head of Democracy and Governance and the Managing Director the Chairman invited Councillor Dhindsa to withdraw the allegation, which he did.

The amendment was then put to the vote

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 the votes were recorded as follows –

Those Members voting in favour of the amendment:

Councillors Bashir, Bell, Connal, Dhindsa, Joynes, Khan, Mauthoor, Mills, Shah and S Williams

Those Members voting against the amendment:

Mayor Thornhill, The Chairman Councillor Derbyshire, Councillors Aron, Bolton, I Brown, J Brown, Collett, Counter, Crout, Greenslade, Hastrick, Hofman, Jeffree, Johnson, Lynch, Mehta, Saffery, Scudder, Sharpe, Taylor, Walford, Watkin and T Williams

Those Members abstaining from voting

Councillor Brandon

The amendment was LOST by 10 votes to 23 and 1 abstention.

The original motion was then put to Council.

Those Members voting in favour of the original motion:

Mayor Thornhill, The Chairman Councillor Derbyshire, Councillors Aron, Bolton, I Brown, J Brown, Collett, Counter, Crout, Greenslade, Hastrick, Hofman, Jeffree, Johnson, Lynch, Saffery, Scudder, Sharpe, Taylor, Walford, Watkin and T Williams

Those Members voting against the original motion:

None

Those Members abstaining from voting

Councillors Bashir, Bell, Brandon, Connal, Dhindsa, Joynes, Khan, Mauthoor, Mehta, Mills, Shah and S Williams

The amendment was CARRIED by 22 votes to 0.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the proposals recommended by Cabinet on 19 January 2015 be agreed:

a)      that the Council’s net General Fund expenditure for 2015/16 shall be £15,176,500.

          b)  that the Capital Programme shall be as set out in the Cabinet report with the addition of £250,000 for improvements to the community centres.

and in approving these recommendations

c)      has regard to the Director of Finance’s assessment of financial risks and the level of balances and provisions required, as set out in the Cabinet report.

d)      the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme continues for financial year 2015/16 (paragraph 7.6.5 of the Cabinet report refers).

e)      the Treasury management Strategy for 2015-2018 as set out in Appendix 11 of the Cabinet report be agreed.

f)       that the Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Director of Finance, be given the delegated authority to approve any variation to the Treasury Management Strategy during the year which may be brought about by investigating the opportunity to invest for greater than 1 year and to invest in other investment instruments i.e Government bonds, Gilts and property with a view of maximising the Councils returns without significantly increasing risk.

2.      that Watford Borough Council’s Council Tax Base for 2015/16 has been calculated at 30,805 in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 made under Section 31B (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.

3.      that the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2015/16 in accordance with Sections 31A to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

4.      that a report including the precepts of both the County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner be presented to the Functions Committee on 26 February 2015 to set the total Council Tax.