Issue - meetings

To approve the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy and to approve the Business Plans.

(Members should note that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment Regulations 2014, there will be a recorded vote on this item).

The Council debated the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy and Business Plans.

It was proposed by Councillor P J Owen and seconded by D D Pringle that the following amendment be made to the budget.

The Conservative party proposals for the 24/25 budget are as follows:

The Council shall -

1.    Abolish the recently introduced car parking charges (additional cost £270,000)

2.    Reduce proposed garden waste charges increases from an additional £5 to £1 per annum (additional cost £90,000)

3.    Introduce flood wardens and sand-bags (additional cost £50,000)

Total additional 24/25 budget cost - £410,000

4.    Increase the Council’s staffing vacancy target (additional saving £200,000)

5.    Use of general fund balances (additional saving £210,000)

Total additional 24/25 budget savings - £410,000.

Prior to the vote on the amendment Councillor R D MacRae proposed and Councillor E Williams seconded an adjournment.  On being put to the meeting the motion fell.

The debate on the amendment was had and included comments on car parking charges and the impact on existing employees and services of further staffing cuts.

The debate on the amendment focussed the pressure that would be put on Officers by vacant posts being deleted and the balance of ensuring car parking charges were fair, but didn’t impact negatively on businesses.  On being put to the meeting the motion fell. The vote was recorded and the voting was as follows:

There followed a brief adjournment.

After the adjournment the debate progressed on to the substantive motion.  It was noted that the proposed budget included grants to sports organisations and voluntary groups.  There were concerns about the house building programme, car parking charges and the increase in prices for garden waste bins.

Discussion progressed on to homelessness, the East Midlands Combined Authority, affordable housing and austerity.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was required. The voting was as follows: