Agenda item

RESOLVED: To

1.1.          Consider the responses to the budget engagement with residents and businesses as set out in Section 10 and Appendix I.

1.2.          Consider and have due regard to the equalities impact assessment undertaken on the budget proposals as set out in Section 15.

1.3.          Approve the responses to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee recommendations (to follow) on the budget proposals as set out in Section 20.

1.4.          Approve that Directors be authorised to implement their service plans for 2023/24 in accordance with the recommendations within this report, the Council's Constitution, Financial Regulations, relevant Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment

1.5.          Propose to Full Council for approval an increase in the Croydon element of the 2023/24 council tax charge by 12.99% (Band D £203.95).

1.6.          Propose to Full Council for approval a 2% increase (Band D £31.40) in the 2023/24 Adult Social Care precept levy.

1.7.          Note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated budget, a 9.7% (Band D £38.55) increase regarding the Greater London Authority precept.

1.8.          Propose to Full Council for approval the calculation of budget requirement and council tax as set out in Appendix G and note that the inclusion of the GLA precept will result in a total increase of 13.93% (Band D £273.91) in the overall Croydon council tax bill.

1.9.          Propose to Full Council for approval the setting of the Council’s own total net expenditure budget for 2023/24 at £340.911m.

1.10.       Propose to Full Council for approval the detailed programme of revenue savings, income, demand pressures and legacy budget corrections, by directorate, as set out in Appendix C.

1.11.       Propose to Full Council the proposed £10m budget in 2023/24 to support delivery of the transformation programme.

1.12.       Propose to Full Council for approval that the Corporate Director of Resources be authorised to collect and recover National Non-Domestic Rate and council tax in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

1.13.       Note the revenue budget assumptions detailed in the report and budget projections to 2025/26 made by the Corporate Director of Resources in agreement with the Chief Executive and with the Corporate Management Team.

1.14.       Note the Council’s request for a capitalisation direction from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [DLUHC] of up to £300.6m (£161.6m in 2022/23 regarding legacy finance issues and £139m regarding 2023/24 to 2025/26, annually £63m, £38m and £38m respectively).

1.15.       Note that all Directors will be required to report on their projected financial position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the 2023/24 monthly financial performance reporting timetable.

1.16.       Note the statement (section 11 of the Report) of the Corporate Director of Resources, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of estimates.

1.17.       Note that the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant allocation for 2023/24 will increase by £26.310m to £427.688m (section 12 of the Report).