Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre
Minutes:
The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre presented a report setting out proposals for the 2020/21 budget.
Councillor Andrew Rule proposed an amendment to the budget as follows:
“subject to the following:
Section 1 Net
2020/21
£
Proceeds from the sale of shares in wholly owned companies -3,000,000
Ring-fence resources for the following areas: +3,000,000
· Children’s Services – Early Years Intervention:
o Additional support for Supporting Families
Programme (expansion of Government’s Troubled
Families Programme)
o Funding programme expansion for voluntary and
Community sector
o Additional back office support for social workers
Income from Solar Panel Investment Scheme -37,500
Reinvested in Energy Improvement Initiatives +37,500
Fleet sponsorship of Council vehicles -70,000
Lamp post commercial advertising -127,900
Reduction in the number of Special Responsibility Positions -86,190
Voluntary Garden Waste – offer citizens a two month extension -224,548
service to the current garden waste collection scheme for £8.50
Reduction in payments to Trade Unions -49,710
Abandon Arrow Communication and cancellation of Neighbourhood -129,000
Newsletters
Bulky waste – citizens offered two free collections per annum, charges -66,942
of £15 apply for further collections to fund council tax reductions for all
citizens
Release uncommitted Area Capital reserves (one off) -1,046,000
Total Net Financial Impact -1,800,290
Section 2
It is recommended that reviews of the following area be undertaken:
· Review of impact on the City Council in the event the Tram Operator fails
· Review of alternative financing methods to Work Place Parking Levy
· Audit of availability payments made to operate accurately reflect operational performance
· Urgent review of waste disposal strategy post 2030
· Review of parking and traffic enforcement exemptions – NHS City Care staff, Council employed carers, first responders and on duty emergency personnel
· Assessment of inefficiencies arising from internal charging within City Council
· Urgent review of parking charges on economy of city centre
· Review of voluntary and third sector access to youth centres to improve utilisation
· Review of membership of Companies Governance Committee
· Review of commercialisation opportunities within Tree Services
· Area Capital allocation formula
· Develop a strategy for increasing the mix of affordable homes as a means of increasing the City Council’s Council Tax Base
· Identify and pursue commercialisation opportunities with other local authorities”
In recommendation 2.1 (2) add after “the capital programme to 2024/25”
“subject to the following:
That a new scheme is added for Solar Panel Investment Scheme (£1.500m in 2020/21 to be funded from borrowing)”
It is recommended that a review of the existing capital programme be undertaken to:
· Reprioritise resources to create additional funds to improve pavements. Councillors who use Area Capital Fund to improve pavements on main thoroughfares could seek match funding from this fund.
· Reprioritise to fund repairs to roads across the City.”
And amend the following recommendations as indicated:
· In recommendation 2.1(3) substitute £121,807,454 for £120,007,164
· In recommendation 2.1(3)(a) substitute £978,080,189 for £977,008,663
· In recommendation 2.1(3)(b) substitute £856,272,735 for £857,001,499
· In recommendation 2.1(3)(c) substitute £121,807,454 for £120,007,164
· In recommendation 2.1(4) substitute £1,808.31 for £1,781.58
And amend the following sections as indicated:
· In section 5.2 substitute ... view the full minutes text for item 84