Report of the Section Head – Financial Planning and Analysis

Council received a report of the Director of Finance including:

·      Budget Gap, as recommended by Cabinet on 20 January 2020

·      Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2019-23, as recommended by Cabinet on 20 January 2020

·      Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2022/23

·      Income (Charging Policy) 2020/21

·      Capital Strategy 2020/21

·      Report of Licensing Committee on 15 January 2020

·      Report of Cabinet on 20 January 2020.

The Mayor moved the budget report which was seconded by Councillor Watkin.

Councillor Turmaine moved an amendment to the budget report, which was seconded by Councillor Bell.  The full amendment was circulated at the meeting (attached to these minutes as Appendix 1).

The amendment called on Council to:

·      Fund the income projected from the green waste bin collection charge and remove the proposed charge to residents.

·      Support street scene development on Vicarage Road.

·      Cease the on-demand bus service and associated app.

·      Suspend the cycle hire scheme for at least the current MTFS period.

Councillor Turmaine argued that these actions would support Watford residents better financially and place the council on a more sustainable financial footing than the current budget presented.

Members debated the original motion and the amendment.

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

The amendment was put to the vote.

Those members voting in favour of the amendment:

The Chairman Councillor Khan, Councillors Bell, Dhindsa, Ezeifedi, Shah, Smith and Turmaine.

Those members voting against the amendment:

Mayor Taylor, Councillors Bolton, Collett, Crout, Dychton, Grimston, Hamid, Hastrick, Hofman, Jeffree, J Johnson, S Johnson, Kloss, Parker, Pattinson, Saffery, Scudder, Sharpe, Stanton, Stiff, Stotesbury, Walford, Watkin, Wenham and Williams.

Those Members abstaining:

Councillor Mauthoor.

The amendment was LOST by 25 votes to 7.  There was 1 abstention.

The original motion was then put to Council.

Those Members voting in favour of the original motion:

Mayor Taylor, Councillors Bolton, Collett, Crout, Dychton, Grimston, Hamid, Hastrick, Hofman, Jeffree, J Johnson, S Johnson, Kloss, Parker, Pattinson, Saffery, Scudder, Sharpe, Stanton, Stiff, Stotesbury, Walford, Watkin, Wenham and Williams.

Those Members voting against the original motion:

The Chairman Councillor Khan, Councillors Bell, Dhindsa, Shah, Smith and Turmaine.

Those Members abstaining:

Councillors Ezeifedi and Mauthoor.

The original motion was CARRIED by 25 votes to 6.  There were 2 abstentions. 

RESOLVED –

1.          To agree proposals recommended by Cabinet on 20 January 2020 that Council:

a)      Resolves in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992, the amount calculated by Watford Borough Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2020/21 is 33,480.7 as outlined in the report.

b)      Approves the continuation of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020/21.

c)       Approves the budget (Attachment 1) as laid out in the report, as amended for the decision taken at Council on 20 January, including:

·     the base budget for 2020/21

·     the growth and savings

·     the Capital Investment Programme 2019-23

d)      Approves the schedule of fees and charges & income charging policy

e)      Approves the Capital Strategy for 2020/21,

·     that the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55