Agenda and minutes

The General Counsel reported apologies from Mr Cannon, Mr Chittenden, and Mr Daley.

Mr Ross had given his formal apologies and joined the meeting virtually.

Mr Manion declared an interest that he was a host for Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Ms Meade declared an interest that she was a carer.

Ms Wright declared an interest that she was an appointee for a family member.

The General Counsel advised that the procedure rules would apply in accordance with the Register of Members’ Interests.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2022 be approved as a correct record subject to references to Hope not Hate standing up to fascism being included in Dr Sullivan’s response to the Leader’s report (Item 7 – Report by Leader of the Council (Oral).

(1)      With the deepest regret the Chairman informed Members of the very sad passing of Mr Cameron Beart, County Councillor for Sheppey.  Mr Beart joined Kent County Council at the May 2021 election and served as a Member of the Council’s Planning Applications Committee. He also served on the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee and the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee between May 2021 and July 2022. Mr Beart represented Queenborough and Halfway on Swale Borough Council and he was also Deputy Mayor at Queenborough Town Council. The Chairman advised Members that full tributes to Mr Beart would be given at the next meeting of County Council.

(2)      The Chairman referred to the tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria which had taken the lives of thousands of people.  The Chairman asked Members to join her in sending thoughts and best wishes for the emergency response and in expressing the Council’s deepest sympathies to those who had lost loved ones in the disaster.

(3)      The Chairman held a one-minute silence in memory of Mr Beart and those who had suffered in the recent earthquake.

(1)      Mr Oakford proposed, and Mr Gough seconded the motion that:

“Pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act, County Council is asked to consider and note this report and agree to have due regard to the contents when making decisions about the proposed budget.”

(2)      The Chairman advised Members that the Section 25 Assurance Statement was a record of professional advice to assist in consideration of the proposed budget.  Its consideration was a legal requirement and did not seek agreement to any of the budget proposals due to be considered.

(3)      The Corporate Director for Finance, as the Section 151 Officer, provided an overview of the Section 25 Assurance Statement.  She confirmed that this report set out her professional opinion as Section 151 Officer as to the robustness of the budget estimates and the level of reserves.  She advised that this view took account of the impact of global and national factors and the general economic environment.  She acknowledged that setting a balanced budget for 2023/2024 and the medium term had been exceptionally challenging and highlighted that there were significant financial risks.  She said, subject to all the proposals in the draft budget being delivered as planned, she was able to confirm the adequacy of the reserves and the robustness of the estimates.

(4)      The Chair put the motion set out in paragraph 1 to the vote and it was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act, County Council noted the report and agreed to have due regard to the contents when making decisions about the proposed budget.

(1)      The Chairman reminded all Members that any Member of a Local Authority who was liable to pay Council Tax, and who had any unpaid Council Tax amount overdue for at least two months, even if there was an arrangement to pay off the arrears, must declare the fact that they are in arrears and must not cast their vote on anything related to KCC’s Budget or Council Tax.

(2)      The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the Section 25 Assurance Statement, as considered under the previous item, reminding them of the agreement by Council to give it due regard while considering the Budget.

(3)      Mr Oakford proposed and Mr Gough Seconded the following motion:

“County Council, having given due regard to the s25 Report (published for consideration as agenda item 5 of this meeting), is asked to agree the following:

2023-33 Capital Programme

(a)          The 10-year Capital programme and investment proposals of £1,624.0m over the years from 2023-24 to 2032-33 together with the necessary funding and subject to approval to spend arrangements.

(b)          The directorate capital programmes as set out in appendices A & B of the final draft budget report published on 1 st February 2023.

2023-24 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan

(c)          The net revenue budget requirement of £1,310.9m for 2023-24.

(d)          The directorate revenue budget proposals for 2023-24 and the medium term financial plan as set out in appendices D (high level 3 year plan), E (2023-24 key services), appendix F (variations for 2023-24) and G (variations for 2023-26) of the final draft budget report published on 1 st February 2023.

2023-24 Council Tax

(e)          To increase Council Tax band rates up to the maximum permitted without a referendum as set out in section 6.10 (table 4) in the final draft report published on 1st February 2023. For the general precept the increase up to but not exceeding 3% raises an additional £25.048m taking the total general precept to £761,106,400

(f)           To levy the additional 2% social care precept (raising an additional £16.664m and taking the total social care precept to £115,672,900 out of the total precept set out in recommendation (g) below).

(g)          The total Council Tax requirement of £876,779,300 to be raised through precepts on districts as set out in section 6.9 (table 3) in the final draft report published on 1st February 2023.

Kent Pay Scheme 2023-24

(h)          The recommendations from Personnel Committee on the changes to Kent Pay Scheme as set out in section 7.8 of the final draft budget published on 1 st February 2023

(i)               The uprating of member allowances linked to pay awards as set out in section 7.10 of the final draft budget published on 1st February 2023

Key Policies and Strategies

(j)           The Fees and Charges policy as set out in appendix L of the final draft report published on 1st February 2023

(k)          The Capital Strategy as set out in appendix M of the final draft report published on 1 st February 2023 including the Prudential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.