Agenda item

The Leader presented Members with a report that set out the latest budget position for the Revenue Budget for 2020/21 and highlighted specific points for consideration.  The Leader and S151 Officer responded to a number of questions of clarity.  Members requested that a draft Press Release on the Council’s budget is emailed to all Members ahead of the Full Council meeting on 18^th February.

Members discussed the role of the proposed new Economy Officer post and how it would have clear outputs to be measured against, thus ensuring the post aimed to generate enough income to cover its costs.  A Job Description would be emailed to all Members, which Members requested include a reference to agriculture and diversification.

It was then RESOLVED that the Hub Committee recommend to Council:

i)          The increase in Council Tax for 2020/21 of £5 (Band D of £236.63 for 2020/21 – an increase of 10 pence per week or £5 per year – equates to a 2.16% increase).

ii)         The financial pressures shown in Appendix A of £663,500

iii)        The contributions to Earmarked Reserves of £87,500

iv)        The savings of £530,200 as shown in Appendix A

v)         The use of £228,135 of New Homes Bonus funding to fund the 2020/21 Revenue Budget as set out in 2.20 of the report

vi)        To maintain the deficit recovery period of the Pension Deficit at 17 years (as per 2.26)

vii)       The inclusion of an Economy post (shared with South Hams District Council) within the staffing establishment, as set out in section 1.7.

viii)     To delegate to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader to agree the final amount of New Homes Bonus funding for the Dartmoor National Park Sustainable Community Fund for 2020/21.

ix)        That a collection fund surplus of £67,000 is utilised in 2020/21.

x)         That the Total Net Expenditure of the Council is £7,211,895 for 2020/21.

xi)       That the level of reserves as set out within this report and the assessment of their adequacy and the robustness of budget estimates be noted. This is a requirement of Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2003.

The Hub Committee also recommend to Council the Fees and Charges below which form part of the Revenue Budget Proposals for 2020/21: 

xii)       To approve the proposed Environmental Health charges in Appendix D.

xiii)     To approve the proposed unchanged fees and charges set out for Development Management in Appendix C.

xiv)     To approve that charges be introduced for the use of the existing electric charging points at Kilworthy Park.

xv)      To approve the introduction of Proof of Life charges with immediate effect, once approval from Members has been received as set out in paragraph 5.13.

xvi)     To approve the changes to S257 Footpath Diversion Orders charges with immediate effect, once approval from Members has been received as set out in paragraph 5.14.

xvii)    To approve the proposals to increase charges to Parish and Town Councils for the emptying of dog waste and litter bins as set out in paragraph 5.15.

xviii)   Delegated authority is given to the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder to set the Local Land Charges as appropriate for cost recovery.