Decision details

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet recommend to full Council:

a.    A 2.99% increase in the Council Tax for Croydon Services (a level of increase Central Government has assumed in all Councils’ spending power calculation).

b.    A 1.0% increase in the Adult Social Care precept (a charge Central Government has assumed all councils’ will levy in its spending power calculations).

c.    To welcome the GLA increase of 8.93%, of which 91% of which is being used for the Metropolitan Police service and 9% is being used for the fire service.

With reference to the principles for 2019/20 determined by the Secretary of State under Section52ZC (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) confirm that in accordance with s.52ZB (1) the Council Tax and GLA precept referred to above are not excessive in terms of the most recently issued principles and as such to note that no referendum is required.  This is detailed further in section 3.5 of the report.

d.    The calculation of budget requirement and council tax as set out in Appendix D and E of the report.  Including the GLA increase this will result in a total increase of 4.88% in the overall council tax bill for Croydon.

e.    The revenue budget assumptions as detailed in the report and the associated appendices :-

f.     The programme of revenue savings and growth by department for 2019/20 (Appendix A of the report).

g.    The Council’s detailed budget book for 2019/20 (Appendix B of the report).

h.    The Capital Programme as set out in section 16, table 16 and 17 of the report.

i.      To note there are no proposed amendments to the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2019/20.

j.      The adoption of the Pay Policy statement at Appendix H of the report.

k.    Approve the increase in premium for long-term empty dwellings with effect from 1st April 2019 as set out in section 9.10 of the report and Appendix I of the report.

l.      The adoption of the Adult Social Care Charging Policy with effect from the 1^st April 2019 as set out in section 8.11 and appendix J of the report.

2.    That Cabinet agree:

a.    A rent decrease for all Council tenants for 2019/20, in line with the Government’s social rent policy which has legislated to reduce social rents by 1%.

b.    No increase to Garage and Parking space rents.

c.    No increase to the service charges for caretaking, grounds maintenance and bulk refuse collection as detailed in section 17 of the report.

3.    That Cabinet note:

a.    That in respect of the Council’s public sector equalities duties where the setting of the capital, revenue and HRA budget result in new policies or policy change the relevant service department will carry out an equality impact assessment to secure delivery of that duty including such consultation as may be required.

b.    The progress being made towards balancing the Council’s financial position for 2018/19 as at Quarter 3 and the current projected outturn forecast of £5.466m as set out in the report at item 5b on the agenda.

c.    The response to the draft local government settlement which is attached at Appendix F of the report.

d.    That pre-decision scrutiny of the proposed budget 2019/20 took place at the Scrutiny and Overview Committee on the 15^th January 2019. The Scrutiny and Overview Committee agreed to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources be invited to attend a meeting of the Committee early in the new municipal year to discuss with Members the process for setting the following year’s budget.

e.    The statement on reserves and balances and robustness of estimates from the statutory Section 151 Officer.