Agenda item

(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)       Mr Wood, Corporate Director of Finance & Procurement, gave a presentation on the various changes to central Government grants insofar as they related to the County Council and other aspects relating to the budget process, including his advice on the level of reserves.

 

(3)       Mrs Stockell moved, Mr R King seconded that:

 

(a)     Procedure Rule 1.12(2) be suspended in order that the meeting be extended to 5.00 pm, if necessary;

 

(b)     Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended in order that the Leader be allowed to speak for a maximum of 15 minutes, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Leader of the Labour Group for 10 minutes each with the Leader being given a 5 minute right of reply and the seconder of the original motion to also speak for up to 5 minutes;

 

(c)     Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended after presentations by Cabinet Members on their portfolios in the period of general debate that follows in order that speeches can be limited to 3 minutes; and

 

(d)    Procedure Rule 1.37(1) be suspended in order for the mover and seconder of the original motion to be permitted to speak on more than one occasion.

 

Carried without a vote

 

(4)       The Chairman also advised the County Council that should the period of general debate on each portfolio finish earlier than scheduled, the time for debate on amendments would be extended.

 

(5)       Mr Carter moved, Mr Simmonds seconded the approval of the contents of the attached 2012/13 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012-15 and to approve the following proposals:

 

(a)          the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals for 2012/13;

 

(b)          the Revenue Budget requirement of £904.321m;

 

(c)          the Capital Investment proposals of £692.469m over three years, together with the necessary use of borrowing, revenue, grants, capital receipts, renewals and other earmarked capital funds, external funding and PFI, subject to approval to spend arrangements;

 

(d)          the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix Bof the attached Medium Term Financial Plan;

 

(e)          the revised Treasury Management Strategy as per section 5 of the MTFP

 

(f)            the overall Revenue and Capital Budget proposals as presented in the white combed version of the Budget Book and Medium Term Financial Plan for:

 

(i)            Adult Social Care and Public Health;

(ii)          Business Strategy, Performance and Health Reform;

(iii)        Customer and Communities;

(iv)         Democracy and Partnerships;

(v)           Education, Learning and Skills;

(vi)         Environment, Highways and Waste;

(vii)       Finance and Business Support;

(viii)     Regeneration and Enterprise;

(ix)         Specialist Children’s Services

(x)           Localism & Partnerships;

 

          and to delegate responsibility to the portfolio holders to deliver their responsibilities within the overall resources approved by the County Council subject to the outcome of detailed consultation. 

 

(g)          delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Support to make the necessary changes to the Revenue Budget requirement and spending plans in light of the final grant settlement

 

(h)          delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Support to approve allocations from new Invest to Save Reserve

 

(i)            1% pay award for all Kent Scheme staff

 

(j)             a total requirement from Council Tax of £577,914,417to be raised through precept to meet the 2012/13 budget requirement; and

 

(k)          a Council Tax as set out overleaf, for the listed property bands:

 

Band
Council Tax for Band	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	698.52	814.94	931.36	1,047.78	1,280.62	1,513.46	1,746.30	2,095.56

 

(6)       Mrs Dean moved, Mr Prater seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(f) to be amended as follows:

 

a.         Increase the Youth Service budget by £0.2m (page 32 line 35 of the Budget Book) to re-instate the net reduction in the budget proposed as part of the change to a commissioning model.

 

b.         Increase the Early Years and Childcare budget by £1.2m (page 31 line 28 of the Budget Book) to re-instate the 23 advisor posts proposed to be deleted as part of the ELS restructure.

 

c.         Cancel the new charges for mental health clients (£0.16m) and day care placements/transport for all clients (£0.7m) due to be introduced from April 2012 following their deferral during 2011/12.

 

d.         Reduce the Debt Charges budget by £0.75m (page 41 line 116 of the Budget Book).

 

e.         Increase the underspend from 2011/12 to be rolled forward to support the 2012/13 budget by £1.51m (page 42 line 119 of the Budget Book). 

 

There would be no impact on the budget requirement or Council Tax as a result of this amendment.  Necessary changes would need to be made to individual budget lines and MTFP entries.

 

(7)       Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (6) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (7)

 

Mr I Chittenden, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson, Mr M Vye

 

Against (60)

 

Mrs A Allen, Mr R Bayford, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Bullock, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr L Christie, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr G Cowan, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mrs E Green, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr B Sweetland, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Lost

 

(8)       Mr Cowan moved, Mr Christie seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(f) to be amended as follows:

 

The page references are drawn from the “Draft for County Council – white combed” edition of the Budget Book 2012/13

 

DELETE

 

Council Tax Freeze Grant   £14.446m from line 13, p23, “Council Tax Freeze Grant”

 

ADD

 

Council Tax                               £14.446m to line 16, p23, representing a 2.5% rate increase.  This would release £7.50m from the Council Tax Equalisation Reserve to be reallocated as follows (changing recommending 56(f) accordingly):

 

Youth Service                           £1.50m added to line 35, p32, “Youth Service” to prevent further cuts

 

Concessionary Fares              £0.50m added to line 92, p39 “Concessionary Fares” to commence the service at 9.00 am rather than at 9.30 am.

 

Supporting People                   £2.00m added to line 23, p30 “Supporting People” to reduce the impact of the cuts

 

Voluntary Organisations          £1.00m added to line 16, p29 “Contributions to Voluntary Organisations” to help sustain voluntary organisations from cutbacks, particularly those supporting the frail elderly/dementia sufferers

 

Highways                                  £1.50m added to line 3, p63 “General maintenance and emergency response” to deal with the backlog

 

Support Independence            £0.5m added to line 57, p35,”Supporting Independence & Employment” to expand the number of apprenticeships for vulnerable learners, and £0.5m added to line 24, p30 to expand the number of trainees in employment

 

The increase in Council Tax would increase the precept on District Councils from £577,914,417 to £592,359,796 and would change recommendation 56(j) in the covering report and the Council Tax to be paid in each band in Recommendation 56(k) as follows:

 

Band
Council Tax for Band	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Original £	698.52	814.94	931.36	1,047.78	1,280.62	1,513.46	1,746.30	2,095.56
Revised £	715.98	835.31	954.64	1,073.97	1,312.63	1,551.29	1,789.95	2,147.94

 

(9)               Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (8) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (3)

 

Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mrs E Green

 

Abstain (2)

 

Mr I Chittenden, Mr G Koowaree

 

Against (63)

 

Mrs A Allen, Mr R Bayford, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Bullock, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr D Daley, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr R  Long, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr T Prater, Mr K Pugh, Mr M Robertson, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr B Sweetland, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mr M Vye, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Lost

 

(10)          Mr Robertson moved, Mr Chittenden seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(f) to be amended as follows:

 

“Transfer £1m from Financing Items “other” (page 41, line 117 of the Budget Book) proposed as initiatives to boost the economy to be specifically used to support apprenticeship programmes for          vulnerable adults and trainees in employment programmes.”

 

There would be no impact on the budget requirement or Council Tax as a result of this amendment.  Necessary changes would need to be made to individual budget lines and MTFP entries.

 

(11)          Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (10) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (10)

 

Against (58)

 

Lost

 

(12)          Mr Prater moved, Mr Daley seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(i) to be amended to:

 

“Consult with staff on options to EITHER receive this £3m as a 1% increase OR a 1.8% pay award for all Kent Scheme staff on KR9 and below without increasing the top of the range for the KR9 grade (this amendment would cost the same as the £3m identified on page 65 of the Medium Term Financial Plan (appendix A ii) and individual portfolio budgets recalculated to comply with recommendation 56(f).”

 

There would be no impact on the budget requirement or Council Tax as a result of this amendment.  Necessary changes would need to be made to individual budget lines and MTFP entries.

 

(13)          Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (12) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (7)

 

Mr I Chittenden, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson, Mr M Vye

 

Abstain (1)

 

Mrs J Whittle

 

Against (59)

 

Mrs A Allen, Mr R Bayford, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr L Christie, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr G Cowan, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mrs E Green, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr R  Long, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Lost

 

(14)          Mrs Green moved, Mr Cowan seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(f) to be amended as follows:

 

DELETE

 

Boosting Economy                  £1.00m from line 117, p41, “Other”

 

ADD

 

Youth Service                           £1.00m to line 35, p32, “Youth Service” to prevent further cutbacks

 

There would be no impact on the budget requirement or Council Tax as a result of this amendment.  Necessary changes would need to be made to individual budget lines and MTFP entries.

 

(15)          Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (14) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (6)

 

Mr I Chittenden, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mrs T Dean, Mrs E Green, Mr M Vye

 

Abstain (4)

 

Mr D Daley, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson

 

Against (56)

 

Mr R Bayford, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr R Long, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Lost

 

(16)          Mr Cowan moved, Mrs Green seconded that the recommendation set out in paragraph 56(f) to be amended as follows:

 

DELETE

 

Debt Charges                           £0.75m from line 116, p41, “Net Debt Costs (incl. Investment Income)”

 

Redundancy Fund                    £0.75m from line 115, p41,”Modernisation of the Council”

 

ADD

 

Highways                                  £1.50m to line 63, p36, “General maintenance and emergency response” to deal with the backlog

 

There would be no impact on the budget requirement or Council Tax as a result of this amendment.  Necessary changes would need to be made to individual budget lines and MTFP entries.

 

(17)          Following the debate the Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in (16) above, when the voting was as follows:

 

For (3)

 

Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mrs E Green

 

Abstain (3)

 

Mr D Daley, Mr G Koowaree, Mr M Robertson

 

Against (60)

 

Mrs A Allen, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr I Chittenden, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr R  Long, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr T Prater, Mr K Pugh, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mr M Vye, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Lost

 

(18)     The Chairman stated that the period of time for amendments had expired and, therefore, the Labour Amendment 4 could not be considered.

 

(19)     The Chairman put to the vote the original Motion as set out in (5) above when the voting was as follows:

 

For (56)

 

Mrs A Allen, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Cubitt, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mr K Ferrin, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr R Lees, Mr J London, Mr R  Long, Mr K Lynes, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mrs J Rook, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr R Tolputt, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe

 

Against (10)

 

Mr I Chittenden, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mrs E Green, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson, Mr M Vye

 

Carried

 

(20)     Resolved:

 

(a)               the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals for 2012/13;

 

(b)             the Revenue Budget requirement of £904.321m;

 

(c)             the Capital Investment proposals of £692.469m over three years, together with the necessary use of borrowing, revenue, grants, capital receipts, renewals and other earmarked capital funds, external funding and PFI, subject to approval to spend arrangements;

 

(d)             the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix B of the attached Medium Term Financial Plan;

 

(e)             the revised Treasury Management Strategy as per section 5 of the MTFP

 

(f)               the overall Revenue and Capital Budget proposals as presented in the white combed version of the Budget Book and Medium Term Financial Plan for:

 

(i)                 Adult Social Care and Public Health;

(ii)               Business Strategy, Performance and Health Reform;

(iii)             Customer and Communities;

(iv)              Democracy and Partnerships;

(v)                Education, Learning and Skills;

(vi)              Environment, Highways and Waste;

(vii)            Finance and Business Support;

(viii)          Regeneration and Enterprise;

(ix)              Specialist Children’s Services

(x)                Localism & Partnerships;

 

            and to delegate responsibility to the portfolio holders to deliver their responsibilities within the overall resources approved by the County Council subject to the outcome of detailed consultation. 

 

(g)               delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Support to make the necessary changes to the Revenue Budget requirement and spending plans in light of the final grant settlement

 

(h)               delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Support to approve allocations from new Invest to Save Reserve

 

(i)                 1% pay award for all Kent Scheme staff

 

(j)                  a total requirement from Council Tax of £577,914,417to be raised through precept to meet the 2012/13 budget requirement; and

 

(k)               a Council Tax as set out overleaf, for the listed property bands:

 

Band
Council Tax for Band	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	698.52	814.94	931.36	1,047.78	1,280.62	1,513.46	1,746.30	2,095.56