E.67/21
Consideration was given to a report that outlined the
draft revenue and capital budget proposals for 2022/23 to
2024/25.
In discussion, reference was made to:-
(a)
Town and Parish Council
precepts. A Member expressed her
disappointment at the significant increases in precepts from a
number of Town and Parish Councils. In
reply, some other Members made the point that often Town and Parish
Councils were increasing their precepts in recognition of the fact
that they had been devolved additional responsibilities from both
the Council and Devon County Council;
(b)
the personal view of a Member that
Council Tax was an unfair form of taxation;
(c)
praise being extended to the Section 151
Officer and her deputy for their work in producing the published
agenda papers.
It was
then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the forecast
budget gap for 2022/23 of £28,500 (0.3% of the Net Budget of
2021/22 of £9.7 million) and the position for future years be
noted;
2.
That the timescales
for closing the budget gap in 2022/23 and future years (in order to
achieve long-term financial sustainability) be noted;
3.
That the current level
of Unearmarked and Earmarked Reserves
(as set out in Section C of the published agenda report) as well as
the net contributions to Earmarked Reserves modelled for 2022/23
(as set out in Appendix D of the published agenda report) be
noted;
4.
That the forecast
Capital Programme Proposals for 2022/23
of £1.61 million and the proposed financing of the Capital
Programme (as set out in Appendix E of
the presented agenda report) be noted;
5.
That the views of the
Executive be requested on the draft Revenue and Capital Budget
Proposals for 2022/23;
6.
That the views of
Members of the Development Management and Overview and Scrutiny
Committees on the draft Revenue and Capital Budget Proposals for
2022/23 be sought at the joint meeting to be held on 13 January
2022; and
That Council be RECOMMENDED to:
7.
continue to be part of
the Devon Business Rates Pool for 2022/23, subject to there being
no announcements within the Finance Settlement (expected to be
announced in mid-December), which in the opinion of the Section 151
Officer (in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the
lead Executive Member for Finance) would change this
recommendation.