Agenda item

The Council considered reports from Cabinet which detailed budget recommendations for the 2020/21 balanced revenue budget, an outline Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP(10)) 2020/21 to 2023/24 and a fully funded Capital Programme, and provided financial information and forecasts to enable the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2020/21 (for copies see file of Minutes).

 

In Moving adoption of the Cabinet reports, Councillor Henig made a statement on the Budget and Precept for 2020/21, summarised as follows:

 

Proposals were approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 12 February 2020.  The Council had faced a decade of austerity and still faced an uncertain future beyond 2021, with no certainty regarding budgets beyond 2021.

 

There would be an estimated reduction in council posts of almost 3,000 by 2020.  This compared with just over 100 lost as a result of local government reorganisation in 2009.

 

In County Durham core spending power was significantly below the average for England and this was deeply unfair.  Because of the financial management and planning of the Council, despite years of cuts, funding was available for investment with £31m revenue spending to allow increased climate change initiatives, increased cleanliness in communities, 11 extra Neighbourhood Wardens, support for vulnerable residents and the continuation of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the only Council in the North East to continue this.  £10m would be allocated to towns and villages and all AAP’s would be consulted to prioritise spending.

 

The Budget for 2020/21 contained a significant Capital Programme of an additional £100m in 2020/21 which would allow for investment in leisure, schools, Locomotion, highways and infrastructure, new history centre and regeneration of towns and villages.

 

In closing the Leader thanked all officers and especially the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance for their careful, robust and forward thinking financial stewardship in what were very difficult times.  The Leader moved the reports and recommendations.

 

In seconding the reports and recommendations, Councillor Napier, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Council that this was the most uncertain time financially for local government, with a one-year funding settlement being announced.  Although the Council was able to continue to invest because of its prudent financial management, the level of uncertainty was not helpful and there was a need for a full spending review.

 

The proposed increase in Council tax was in line with government expectations.  The Council had maintained its Council Tax Reduction Scheme which would help those most in need.  Additionally, the Council had ensured no savings in frontline services, despite increased cost pressures.

 

An additional £20m revenue investment would be placed into Children and Young People’s Services next year with an additional Capital Investment of over £100m.  Councillor Napier was proud that the Council had managed to achieve this level of additional investment despite the enforced austerity agenda.

 

Councillor R Crute, Chairman of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board informed Council that there had been two scrutiny meetings to consider the budget. The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had scrutinised the budget setting, savings proposals and settlement and commended officers on the way savings had been carried out to date and the planned way savings were to be carried out.  Members were very concerned about the level of uncertainty in the financial outlook.  Feedback from the scrutiny process could be found at paragraphs 67 to 70 of the report at Agenda Item 9.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Shuttleworth, Seconded by Councillor Blakey as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider :

 

(a)County Durham News – Cease Publication

Cease entirely the publication of the County Durham News from April 2020. This produces an annual saving of £200,000.

 

(b)Comms & Marketing Team Staffing

Reduce the staffing in the Communication and Marketing team to one press officer and two assistants. This would produce a saving in 2020/21 of £828,000 and the same in 2021/22. 

 

TOTAL REVENUE SAVING – 20/21 - £1,028,000 with an additional £828,000 in 2021/22.

 

The revenue savings identified above to be invested as follows:

 

(a)Reduce Council Tax

Reduce the 1.99% Council Tax increase in 2020/21 to 0.99%. The total council tax increase in 2020/21 will therefore be 2.99% once the Adult Social Care 2% precept increase is included. The lost income in 2020/21 is £2,200,000 from this proposal.

 

(b)Re-Open the DLI Building

One-off costs of re-opening the building are estimated at £500,000 with on-going running costs estimated at £212,000.

 

(c)Increase Members Neighbourhood Budgets for 20/21 only

Increase Members Neighbourhood budgets from £19,400 to £22,000 at a cost of £327,600

 

(d)One-Off 20/21 contribution to Village Halls / Community Associations

Provide a contribution to each village hall and community association at a cost of £200,000

 

Total Revenue Costs from (a) to (d) total £3,439,600 in 2020/21

 

There will be a requirement to utilise additional Budget Support Reserve of £2,411,600 in 2020/21. The total use of the Budget Support Reserve in 2020/21 will increase from £2,733,000 to £5,144,600 reducing the forecast balance on the Budget Support Reserve to £14,028,000.

 

The estimated savings shortfall for 2021/22 to 2023/24 will increase by £1.025 million from £32.457 million to £33.482 million to reflect the revenue and capital proposals set out in this budget amendment.

 

In relation to the capital budget, additional capital investment as follows:

 

(a)Highways Maintenance – Additional £10 million Investment

An increase in the Highways Maintenance capital budget of £10.000 million in 2020/21 with a subsequent borrowing cost estimated at £469,000 per annum from 2021/22.

Additional Revenue Costs of Additional Highways Capital Schemes total £469,000 from 2021/22

 

The net MTFP impact of the budget proposals is set out below:

Summary of MTFP Impact	2020/21 £’000	2021/22 £’000	2022/23 £’000	2023/24 £’000	Total £’000
Savings	-1,028	-828	0	0	-1,856
Revenue Investments	1,240	-1,028	0	0	212
Capital Investments	0	469	0	0	469
Reduced Council Tax	2,200	0	0	0	2,200
Increase Use of Budget Reserve	-2,412	0	0	0	-2,412
Adjustment for PYR use of Reserve	0	2,412	0	0	2,412
Change in MTFP Savings	0	1,025		0	1,025
Revised MTFP Savings	0	10,186	4,651	18,645	33,482

 

The council’s estimated savings shortfall for 2021/22 to 2023/24 will increase from £32.457 million to £33.482 million to reflect the revenue and capital proposals set out in this budget amendment.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, A Bell, R Bell, Blakey, D Brown, L Brown, Cochrane, Coult, Durham, Freeman, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, E Mavin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Oliver, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Watson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, Brookes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Geldard, Grant, Grayson, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stelling, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Hopgood, Seconded by Councillor Martin as follows:

 

MTFP 10

 

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider:

 

Investment

(a)Towns and Villages Regeneration

Earmark £1,260,000 from the Towns and Villages reserve to provide each councillor with £10,000 to be spent on regeneration schemes in their local areas.

 

There is no net impact on the 2020/21 net revenue budget or the Medium Term Plan arising from this proposal.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, Blakey, Brookes, D Brown, L Brown, Cochrane, Coult, Durham, Freeman, Geldard, Grant, Grayson, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, E Mavin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Oliver, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Watson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Wilkes, Seconded by Councillor Temple as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider :

 

Investment

(a)Expansion of the Link 2 Accessible Bus Service

An increase in the number of vehicles operating to expand the service available across the County and the introduction of a weekend service.  This will expand the service and provide an improved offer to eligible passengers across County Durham. The estimated cost of expanding the service is £460,000 per annum.

 

There will be a requirement to utilise additional Budget Support Reserve of £460,000 in 2020/21.

 

The net MTFP impact of the budget proposals is set out below:

Summary of MTFP Impact	2020/21 £’000	2021/22 £’000	2022/23 £’000	2023/24 £’000	Total £’000
Investments	460	0	0	0	460
Increase Use of Budget Reserve	-460	0	0	0	-460
Adjustment for PYR use of Reserve	0	460	0	0	460
Change in MTFP Savings	0	460	0	0	460
Revised MTFP Savings	0	9,621	4,651	18,645	32,917

 

The estimated savings shortfall for 2021/22 to 2023/24 will increase by £460,000 from £32.457 million to £32.917 million to reflect the proposals set out in this budget amendment.

 

There is a possibility that this proposal could be funded in future years by increases in taxbase being more than currently estimated in 2021/22.  There is an estimated increase in total taxbase in 2021/22 of £3m.  The taxbase estimate would therefore need to increase to £3.460m in 2021/22 to fund this proposal but would ultimately be subject to the Corporate Director’s Resources assessment of taxbase in future years.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, A Bell, R Bell, Blakey, Brookes, D Brown, L Brown, Cochrane, Coult, Durham, Freeman, Geldard, Grant, Grayson, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, E Mavin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Oliver, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Watson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, Mckeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Maddison, Seconded by Councillor Thompson as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider:

 

(a) Area Action Partnership Investment – Towns and Villages

Allocate £500,000 from the Towns and Villages reserve for distribution to Area Action Partnerships and to be used specifically for infrastructure and environmental projects that will benefit the local community.

 

There is no net impact on the 2020/21 net revenue budget or the Medium Term Plan arising from this proposal.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, Blakey, Brookes, D Brown, L Brown, Cochrane, Coult, Durham, Freeman, Geldard, Grant, Grayson, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, E Mavin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Oliver, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, Watson, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

Councillor Freeman

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor R Bell, Seconded by Councillor Henderson as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider :

Investment

(a)Neighbourhoods (Highways)

Establish a capital budget £100,000 with a one-off contribution from the budget support reserve for the preventative maintenance of council owned wooden and composite bridges.

 

(b)Gully Cleansing

Purchase an additional gully tanker for clearing roadside drains at a cost of £160,000 funded through a one-off contribution from the budget support reserve. Additional staffing costs total £60,000 per annum – to be met from budget support reserve in 2020/21.

Total Revenue Costs from (a) to (b) total £320,000 in 2020/21

There will be a requirement to utilise additional Budget Support Reserve of £320,000 in 2020/21.

 

The net MTFP impact of the budget proposals is set out below:

Summary of MTFP Impact	2020/21 £’000	2021/22 £’000	2022/23 £’000	2023/24 £’000	Total £’000
Investments	320	-260	0	0	320
Increase Use of Budget Reserve	-320	0	0	0	-320
Adjustment for PYR use of Reserve	0	320	0	0	320
Change in MTFP Savings	0	60	0	0	60
Revised MTFP Savings	0	9,221	4,651	18,645	32,517

 

The estimated savings shortfall for 2021/22 to 2023/24 will increase by £60,000 from £32.457 million to £32.517 million to reflect the proposals set out in this budget amendment.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, Blakey, Brookes, D Brown, L Brown, Cochrane, Coult, Durham, Geldard, Grant, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Oliver, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, Watson, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

Councillor Freeman

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Henderson, Seconded by Councillor R Bell as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider :

Investment

(a)Strategic Tourism Initiative Fund

Establish a Strategic Tourism Initiative Fund at a cost of £2 million. Council is asked to earmark £2 million from the established £20 million available in the Towns and Villages reserve.

 

(b)Community Buildings Fund

Establish a Community Building Fund of £1 million to provide grants for community buildings.  Council is asked to earmark £1 million from the established £20 million available in the Towns and Villages reserve.

 

(c)Bus Services to Upper Teesdale

Establish an evening bus service from Barnard Castle to upper Teesdale from April to September at an estimated cost of £10,000. Council is asked to earmark £10,000 from the established £20 million available in the Towns and Villages reserve

 

There will be a requirement to earmark £3.010 million from the established Towns and Villages earmarked reserve. 

 

There is no impact on the MTFP or 2020/21 net budget requirement from this budget proposal.

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, Blakey, D Brown, L Brown, Coult, Durham, Freeman, Grant, Hawley, Henderson, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, L Mavin, Nicholson, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Watson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Geldard, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Hicks, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, Mckeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stelling, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Durham, Seconded by Councillor R Bell as follows:

 

MTFP 10

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider :

Investment

(a)AAP Youth Funds

Remove the proposed £100,000 ongoing revenue proposal to establish a youth parliament and instead provide this funding to Area Action Partnerships to augment their existing youth funds – for more localised investment.

 

This budget amendment is a reallocation of proposed expenditure within the 2020/21 budget and there is no impact on the 2020/21 net budget requirement or the MTFP model. 

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, D Brown, Durham, Henderson, Howell, Makepeace, Richardson, Rowlandson and Shuttleworth.

 

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Avery, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Geldard, Grant, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Hawley,  Henig, Hicks, Higgins, Hopgood, Hopper, Hovvels, Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Jopling, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddell, Liddle, Maddison, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, Martin, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Nicholson, Ormerod, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Scott, Sexton, Shaw, Simmons, Simpson, H Smith, T Smith, Stelling, Stephens, Stoker, Surtees, Taylor, Temple, Thompson, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, Watson, Wilkes, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson, Wood and Zair.

 

Abstentions

 

Councillors Blakey, Freeman, Jopling, Nicholson, Reed, Shield and Willis.

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

An amendment was Moved by Councillor Shield, Seconded by Councillor Jopling as follows:

 

MTFP 10

Budget Amendment

The Council, in respect of the Cabinet’s 2020/21 budget and MTFP 10 to consider:

 

Investment

The Neighbourhood Budget/Members Initiative Fund which is currently £19,400 per member (£14,000 - Capital; & £5400 - Revenue) be increased to £22,400, an increase of £3,000 per annum per member and representing an increase of 15.5%.. The split between Capital & Revenue to remain the same at 75%/25% (Revised Capital £16,800 & Revised Revenue £5,600).

 

This increase in members Neighbourhood Budget would permit all members to further address outstanding issues within their representative division in a fair and equitable manner.

 

This increase of £3,000 per member x 126 total elected members equates to a total cumulative increase of £378,000. This additional expenditure is to be funded from General Reserve in 2020/21 which currently stands at £27.2 million. The investment of £378,000 equates to a reduction in this reserve of 1.4% but ensures that the General Reserves are retained within the stipulated 5.0% - 7.5% criteria.

 

The investment is to continue in future years which would result in an increase in the 2021/22 savings target to £9.539 million and the overall MTFP(10) savings shortfall will increase to £32.835 million.

 

The net MTFP impact of the budget proposals is set out below:

Summary of MTFP Impact	2020/21 £’000	2021/22 £’000	2022/23 £’000	2023/24 £’000	Total £’000
Investments	378	0	0	0	378
Use of General Reserve	-378	0	0	0	-378
Adj. for use of General Reserve	0	378			378
Change in MTFP Savings	0	378	0	0	378
Revised MTFP Savings	0	9,539	4,651	18,645	32,835

 

For the Amendment

 

Councillors Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, Blakey, D Brown, L Brown, Coult, Durham, Geldard, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Liddell, Maddison, Makepeace, Martin, Nicholson, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, S Robinson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Watson, Wilkes, Willis and Zair.

 

Against the Amendment

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Grant, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

Votes were then taken on the main Motions which were the recommendations contained within the reports.

 

Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2023/24 and Revenue and Capital Budget 2020/21.

 

For the Motion

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Geldard, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maddison, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, Watson, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Against the Motion

 

Councillors A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, D Brown, L Brown, Coult, Durham, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Jopling, Laing, Liddell, Makepeace, Martin, Nicholson, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Willis and Zair.

 

Abstentions

 

Councillor Blakey, Simpson and Wilkes.

 

Resolved:

That the report and its recommendations be adopted in full.

 

Council Tax Setting in Order to Meet the County Council's Council Tax Requirement for 2020/21

 

For the Motion

 

Councillors Adam, Allen, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, Blakey, Bleasdale, Boyd, Boyes, J Brown, J Carr, Chaplow, Clare, Clark, Clarke, Considine, Corrigan, Crathorne, Crute, Davinson, Dunn, Geldard, Gunn, Hall, Hampson, Henig, Higgins, Hopper, Hovvels, E Huntington, Iveson, Jewell, Johnson, Jopling, Kay, Kellett, Kennedy, Laing, Lethbridge, Liddle, Maddison, Maitland, Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, McKeon, McLean, Milburn, Morrison, Napier, Nicholson, Patterson, Potts, Pounder, Quinn, J Robinson, Shaw, H Smith, T Smith, Stephens, Surtees, Taylor, Tinsley, Tucker, Turnbull, Watson, C Wilson, M Wilson, S Wilson and Wood.

 

Against the Motion

 

Councillors A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, R Bell, D Brown, L Brown, Coult, Durham, Hawley, Henderson, Hicks, Hopgood, Howell, Liddell, Makepeace, Martin, Ormerod, Reed, Richardson, Rowlandson, Scott, Sexton, Shield, Shuttleworth, Simmons, Simpson, Stelling, Stoker, Temple, Thompson, Wilkes and Willis.

 

Abstentions

 

None

 

Resolved:

 

That the following be adopted:

 

(a)         It be noted that on 13 November 2019 the Cabinet calculated the council tax base 2020/21 for:

 

(i)     the whole council area as 141,742.0 Band D equivalent properties [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended); and;

 

(ii)   dwellings in those parts of its area to which a parish precept relates as in the attached Appendix 3.

 

(b)         The Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2020/21 (excluding Parish precepts and the Charter Trustees for the City of Durham) is £234,458,277;

 

(c)          Agree the following amounts in accordance with Sections 30 to 36 of the Act being the:

 

(i)        aggregate of the gross expenditure which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils is £1,273,964,349;

 

(ii)      aggregate of the gross income which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act is  £1,025,868,561;

 

(iii)     amount by which the aggregate at (c) i) above exceeds the aggregate at (c) ii) above in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act) is £248,095,788;

 

(iv)     amount at (c) iii) above (Item R), all divided by Item T ((a) i) above), in accordance with Section 31B of the Act as the basic amount of its council tax at Band D for the year (including parish precepts) is £1,750.33;

 

(v)      aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34 (1) of the Act: (total of all parish precepts including Charter Trustees) is £13,637,511;

 

(vi)     amount at (c) iv) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (c) v) above by Item T ((a) i) above), in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax at Band D for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates is £1,654.12.

 

(d)         It be noted that for 2020/21, the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority has recommended the following amounts be in the precept issued to the County Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, as shown in the table below:

 

COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
70.32	82.04	93.76	105.48	128.92	152.36	175.80	210.96

 

(e)         It be noted that for 2020/21, the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner has recommended that the following amounts be in the precept issued to the County Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, as shown in the following table:

 

DURHAM POLICE, CRIME AND VICTIMS’ COMMISSIONER  

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
143.49	167.41	191.32	215.24	263.07	310.90	358.73	430.48

 

(f)           That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of council tax for 2020/21 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

 

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,005.81	1,173.44	1,341.08	1,508.71	1,843.98	2,179.25	2,514.52	3,017.42

 

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL – ADULT SOCIAL CARE

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
96.94	113.10	129.25	145.41	177.72	210.04	242.35	290.82

 

AGGREGATE OF COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENTS

(excluding Parish, Town Council and Charter Trustees)

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,316.56	1,535.99	1,755.41	1,974.84	2,413.69	2,852.55	3,291.40	3,949.68

 

(g)         That the Council has determined that its relevant basic amount of council tax for 2020/21 is not excessive in accordance with principles approved under Section 52ZB Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and that the increase in council tax is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under Section 52ZC Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended);

 

(h)         As the billing authority, the council has not been notified by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority and Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, as major precepting authorities, that their relevant basic amount of council tax for 2020/21 is excessive and that the billing authority is not required to hold a referendum in accordance with Section 52ZK Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended);

 

(i)           The County Council, in accordance with Section 11A (3) of the Act set a 0% discount for Second and Empty Furnished Homes;

 

(j)           The County Council, in accordance with Section 11A (4A) of the Act set a 0% discount for dwellings defined in classes C or D;

 

(k)          The County Council in accordance with Section 11B (1b) of the Act, set premium charges for long term empty homes: 100% premium for properties which have been empty between two and five years and 200% premium for properties empty for longer than five years;

 

(l)           The Chief Executive be instructed to publish a notice in accordance with Section 38 (2) of the Act, relating to the amounts of council tax set;

 

(m)        The Chief Executive be instructed to publish a notice in accordance with Section 11A (6) and 11B (6) of the Act, relating to the discount set.