Agenda item

a) To receive the recommendations of Cabinet and approve the CouncilBudget for 2023/2024, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and theCorporate Capital Strategy, including the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual MRP Statement, and the proposed carbon budget setout in:

 

(i) The Leaders Report to the Cabinet meeting on 9 February 2023

(pages 15-22)

(ii) The Cabinet minutes from 9 February 2023 (pages 23-24)

(iii) The Cabinet report from 9 February 2023 on the Budget andMedium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26 (pages 25-152)

 

(For reference the recommendation from Cabinet reads:

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26, as updated in the Leaders report, and the Capital Strategy (incorporating the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement) be recommended for approval by Full Council;

 

(ii)  That the fees and charges proposed within each portfolio (Appendix F of the report of the Acting Chief Executive) be recommended for approval by Full Council;

 

(iii)  That the Council’s carbon budget, as outlined at paragraph 3.36 and detailed in Appendix G of the report of the Acting Chief Executive, be recommended for approval by Full Council;

 

(iv)  That an increase of 2.99% in the level of general council tax in 2023/24 (to £1,388.02 at Band D), be recommended to Full Council for approval;

 

(v)  That an increase of 2.00% in the level of the social care precept in 2023/24 (to £204.72 at Band D), be recommended to Full Council for approval; and

 

(vi)  That a budget for 2023/24 of £199.250 million funded by total Band D council tax of £1,592.74, be recommended to Full Council for approval.)

 

 

(b) To calculate the sums required for the purposes of sections 31A, 31B and

34-36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and to set the Council Tax for2023/24 in accordance with section 30 of the same Act. (pages 153-157)

 

A named vote will be held in relation to (a) and (b) above and on any proposedAmendments

 

 

 

The Leader presented the recommendation from Cabinet in relation to the Council Budget for 2023/2024, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Corporate Capital Strategy, including the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual MRP Statement, and the proposed carbon budget.

 

That Council:

(i)  Approves the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26, as updated in the Leaders report, and the Capital Strategy (incorporating the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement);

 

(ii)  Approves the fees and charges proposed within each portfolio (Appendix F of the report of the Acting Chief Executive);

 

(iii)  Approves the Council’s carbon budget, as outlined at paragraph 3.36 and detailed in Appendix G of the report of the Acting Chief Executive;

 

(iv)  Approves an increase of 2.99% in the level of general council tax in 2023/24 (to £1,388.02 at Band D);

 

(v)  Approves an increase of 2.00% in the level of the social care precept in 2023/24 (to £204.72 at Band D); and

 

(vi)Approves a budget for 2023/24 of £199.250 million funded by total Band D council tax of £1,592.74.

 

 

The following amendment was proposed by Cllr McLaughlin and seconded by Cllr Caudwell:

 

“That following the motion passed by Council on 7 February 2023, Council RESOLVE to use a one-off amount of £50,000, funded from the Budget Strategy reserve, to progress the following initiatives

 

·  Take a proactive role in identifying and promoting opportunities for renewable community energy and commercial renewable energy provision in Solihull.

·  Investigate the potential for collective purchase schemes for renewable energy and insulation.

·  Promote the Government endorsed quality scheme ‘Trustmark’ to help ensure households have access to accredited and regulated suppliers.

·  Begin installing photovoltaic panels on all suitable Council owned buildings at the soonest available viable opportunity.

·  Encourage the use of brownfield land for renewable energy, recognising that Green Belt land will come under pressure due to the character of the Borough.

·  Make sure promoters are aware that Very Special Circumstances will need to be robustly demonstrated for any Green Belt proposals, including how alternative solutions, including brownfield land, have been considered and why any proposed site is the most appropriate. Any local community benefits should also be clearly identified.”

 

Following a debate on the amendment a named vote was held.

 

The following Members voted in favour of the amendment:

Councillors Adeyemo, Allen, Ashraf, Brain, Burrow, Butler, Carthew, Caudwell, Clements, Courts, Dicicco, Donnelly, Feeney, Gethen, Gibbin, Gough, K Grinsell, R Grinsell, Hamilton, Hawkins, Hodgson, Hogarth, Mrs Holl-Allen, Holt, Howell, Mackenzie, Mackiewicz, M McCarthy, McLoughlin, Meeson, Moses, O’Nyons, Parker, Pinwell, Qais, Rebeiro, Rymer, Sandison, Dr Sexton, G Sleigh, B Sleigh, Thomas, Tildesley, A Wilson, M Wilson.

.

The amendment was carried.

 

The substantive motion was then debated, and a named vote held.

 

The following Members voted in favour of the substantive motion:

Councillors Adeyemo, Burrow, Butler, Carthew, Clements, Courts, Dicicco, Feeney, Gethen, Gibbin, Gough, K Grinsell, R Grinsell, Hawkins, Hodgson, Hogarth, Mrs Holl-Allen, Holt, Howell, Mackenzie, Mackiewicz, M McCarthy, Meeson, O’Nyons, Parker, Pinwell, Qais, Rebeiro, Sandison, G Sleigh, B Sleigh, Thomas, Tildesley,

 

The following Members abstained:

Councillors Allen, Ashraf, Brain, Caudwell, Donnelly, Hamilton, McLoughlin, Moses, Rymer, Dr Sexton, A Wilson, M Wilson.

 

The substantive motion was carried, and Council RESOLVED to:

 

(i)  Approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2025/26, as updated in the Leaders report, and the Capital Strategy (incorporating the Council’s strategy on the flexible use of capital receipts and the annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement);

 

(ii)  Approve the fees and charges proposed within each portfolio (Appendix F of the report of the Acting Chief Executive);

 

(iii)  Approve the Council’s carbon budget, as outlined at paragraph 3.36 and detailed in Appendix G of the report of the Acting Chief Executive;

 

(iv)Approve an increase of 2.99% in the level of general council tax in 2023/24 (to £1,388.02 at Band D);

 

(v)  Approve an increase of 2.00% in the level of the social care precept in 2023/24 (to £204.72 at Band D);

 

(vi)Approve a budget for 2023/24 of £199.250 million funded by total Band D council tax of £1,592.74. and

 

(vii)   Approve a one-off amount of £50,000, funded from the Budget Strategy reserve, to progress the following initiatives:

·  Take a proactive role in identifying and promoting opportunities for renewable community energy and commercial renewable energy provision in Solihull.

·  Investigate the potential for collective purchase schemes for renewable energy and insulation.

·  Promote the Government endorsed quality scheme ‘Trustmark’ to help ensure households have access to accredited and regulated suppliers.

·  Begin installing photovoltaic panels on all suitable Council owned buildings at the soonest available viable opportunity.

·  Encourage the use of brownfield land for renewable energy, recognising that Green Belt land will come under pressure due to the character of the Borough.

·  Make sure promoters are aware that Very Special Circumstances will need to be robustly demonstrated for any Green Belt proposals, including how alternative solutions, including brownfield land, have been considered and why any proposed site is the most appropriate. Any local community benefits should also be clearly identified.

 

The Leader then presented the recommendation under item 10(b) - The calculations and amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/24. Which was seconded by Cllr Sleigh:

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council approve the sums required for the purposes of sections 31A, 31B and 34-36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and to set the Council Tax for 2022/23 in accordance with section 30 of the same Act.

 

The recommendation was then debated, and a named vote held.

 

The following Members voted in favour of the recommendation:

Councillors Adeyemo, Burrow, Butler, Carthew, Clements, Courts, Dicicco, Feeney, Gethen, Gibbin, Gough, K Grinsell, R Grinsell, Hawkins, Hodgson, Hogarth, Mrs Holl-Allen, Holt, Howell, Mackenzie, Mackiewicz, M McCarthy, Meeson, O’Nyons, Parker, Pinwell, Qais, Rebeiro, Sandison, G Sleigh, B Sleigh, Thomas, Tildesley,

 

The following Members abstained:

Councillors Allen, Ashraf, Brain, Caudwell, Donnelly, Hamilton, McLoughlin, Moses, Rymer, Dr Sexton, A Wilson, M Wilson.

 

The recommendation was carried, and Council RESOLVED to: Approve the sums required for the purposes of sections 31A, 31B and 34-36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and to set the Council Tax for 2022/23 in accordance with section 30 of the same Act.