Decision details

Cabinet Noted:

1. The report from the Budget Scrutiny is to follow after the 10th and 14th January Resources Scrutiny Commission meetings.

2. The categorisation of earmarked reserves and provisions set out in Section 17.

3. The advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves as set out in Section 16.

4. The results of consultation as set out in Section 18 and detailed in Appendix 6.

Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council:

1. An overall 3.99% increase in the Council’s element of council tax for 2019/20 with 1% as a precept for Adult Social Care and a 2.99% general increase.

2. The General Fund revenue budget for 2019/20, as summarised in Section 7, the detailed budget summary by Directorate as outlined in Appendix 1.

3. The Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 2.

4. The Treasury Management Strategy, including the Prudential Indicators measuring affordability, capital spending, external debt and treasury management, as set out in Appendix 4.

Cabinet agreed to recommend to Full Council:

5. That they note the results of consultation as detailed in Appendix 6.

Delegation of authority

1. Delegated authority to the Director, Finance after consultation with the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance & Performance and the Mayor, to make any necessary adjustments following receipt of the final settlement information, West of England Combined Authority budget or other technical adjustments to the figures to be submitted to Full Council on 26 February 2019.