Agenda item

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets and the Budget Report for 2010/11.

Cabinet considered the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets , together with an addendum which was tabled at the meeting. The report introduced the Cheshire East Council Budget for 2010/2011 and had been produced following consultation on the pre-budget report issued in January 2010.

The report set out in detail the spending plans and income targets for the financial year commencing 1^st April 2010, in addition to the financial estimates for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 financial years. 

Council would be invited to approve the budget at its meeting to be held on 25^th February 2010.

RESOLVED

That

1. the results of the Budget Consultation exercises undertaken by the Council be noted;

2. the comments of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets (Chief Finance Officer) be noted in respect of the robustness of estimates and level of reserves held by the Council based on the budget, as identified in Appendix B of the report;

3. the 2010/2011 Budget Report be recommended to Council for approval;

4. the three-year Capital Programme for 2010/2011 to 2012/2013 be recommended to Council for approval (Appendix B, Paras 72 to 73 and Annex 4 in the report);

5. A Band D Council Tax of £1,216.34 (1.7% increase over 2009/2010 of £1,196.01) be recommended to Council for approval;

6. the Reserves Policy and Strategy be recommended to Council for approval (Appendix C of the report);

7. the appended schedule of fees and charges be approved, save to the extent that the setting of fees and charges is exercised by other Committees, Panels or individuals under the scheme of delegation or otherwise (Appendix B, Para 199 and Annex 7 of the report);

8. the 2010/2011 Specific Grants (excluding DSG) (Appendix B, Paras 23 to 29 of the report submitted) be agreed and that Portfolio Holders be authorised to agree any necessary amendment to particular grants within their area of responsibility in the light of further information received from Government Departments or other funding bodies;

9. the 2010/2011 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £200.2m (including central expenditure of £19.7m) and the associated policy proposals (Appendix B Paras 20 to 22 and Annex 5 of the report) be agreed;

10. the Children and Family Service Portfolio Holder be authorised to agree any necessary amendment to the DSG position in the light of further information received from DCSF, pupil number changes and the actual balance brought forward from 2009/2010;

11.  the Prudential Indicators for Capital Financial be recommended  to Council for approval (Appendix B, Paras 78 to 79 and Annex 3 of the report); and

12. the risk assessment detailed in Appendix B, Paras 64 to 66 of the report, be noted;

13. in respect of  Fees & Charges (pages 165-166) the Rent of Collapsible Stall units at Alsager, Middlewich & Sandbach Retail Market be corrected as follows:

14.     In accordance with Para 2.2 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, it be recommended to Council that it should not  alter the existing virement limits, which were detailed at Para A.33 of the Finance Procedure Rules.