62/17
The Council
considered a report that provided an update of the overall
financial position and detailed the formal proposals of the
Executive to achieve a balanced Budget.
In his
introduction, the Leader of Council particularly highlighted
that:
-
the Council would not be in receipt of any Revenue
Support Grant in 2018/19 and would also see a reduction of up to
50% in its New Homes Bonus. As a
consequence, he was particularly keen on the Council investigating
potential new income streams;
-
new employment units had recently been constructed
in Dartmouth and Totnes;
-
he had recently attended the annual conference of
the District Council Network. Following
this conference, the Leader was convinced that the time had come
for the Council to start to build housing. It was therefore his intention to ask officers to
work up a report that presented an in-depth review into the merits
of building Council housing;
-
there was a need to look at the provision of public
conveniences in a more sustainable way;
-
the additional Business Rates funding. The Leader reminded the Council that the amount of
additional funding received was reliant upon continued business
growth in Devon; and
-
it was his belief that the Council maintained strong
financial management.
Upon the
conclusion of the introduction, the Chairman invited questions from
Members, during which the following issues were raised:-
-
A Member sought clarification around the
recommendations to transfer monies into Reserves with the purposes
of ‘creating local jobs and better supporting the local
economy’ and ‘towards economic regeneration
projects’. In reply, the Leader
informed that items would be brought forward over the next twelve
months and all Members were therefore urged to closely monitor the
Executive Forward Plan;
-
With regard to recent correspondence relating to the
proposal to impose a ‘pay on entry’ charge at the
Steamer Quay, Totnes, the Leader confirmed that further work was
required. As part of this further work,
assurances were given that consultation would be undertaken with
relevant tenants, stakeholders and local Ward Members;
In accordance
with Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 7(j), an amended
Budget had been received and was PROPOSED and
SECONDED as follows:
‘It is RECOMMENDED to Council
that:-
1.
internal borrowings up to £3
million be used to fund the leisure investment saving
£55,000;
2.
£1.5 million be invested long-term
in the CCLA, upfront costs to be covered by the £103,000
underspend in the 2017/18 Budget, generating £65,000 income
from 2019/20;
3.
the Senior Leadership Team be
reorganised (thereby saving £70,000);
4.
funding to the LEP be ceased (thereby
saving £5,000);
5.
car parking charges in our market towns
be reduced by 10% costing £175,000, with a target to reduce
charges by 50% by 2022/23.
£45,000 shortfall to be covered from the Economic
Regeneration Projects reserve for 2018/19;
6.
the closure of public toilets be stopped
(costing £90,000 from 2019/20 and £180,000 from
2020/21);
7.
the Community Investment Fund of
£150,000 be reinstated and funded by using ...
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