The Director of Finance presented the draft revenue estimates for 2011/12.  A decision was required to enable recommendations to be made to the Council concerning the budget and Council Tax for 2011/12. 

Councillor J Green in moving the Cabinet’s Budget Proposal for 2011/12 reported as follows:

“This is a time of huge change, challenge and opportunity. We all recognise that the national debt crisis has had a significant impact on the way that everyone who delivers public services will do business in the future. Wirral Council has risen to the challenge and put in place changes that have led to a stronger, more open and honest Council delivering better services.

Every pound the Council spends running itself is a pound not available to spend on residents priorities. Wirral residents said they wanted us to reduce management costs and we have made good progress in this area, repairing and driving forward the Strategic Change Programme and examining every area of Council business to make sure that we are making the best use of every resource available to us. This has included reducing absence amongst staff, reducing costly office accommodation and cutting our administrative burden. We have reduced the number of Senior Managers we employ by a quarter - to date we have cut management costs saving £13.6 million over the next five years.

Our focus on driving down the cost of running the Council has enabled us to produce a budget that protects delivery of services on the ground. By reducing management costs and what we spend on administration we have been able to ensure we continue to deliver the services that matter the most.  In addition it has enabled us to invest further where necessary to protect those who are most vulnerable in our society.

Jobs matter and the prudent steps we have taken will ensure that we can continue to support our local employers to create job opportunities, particularly for our young people to rebalance our local economy for the benefit of families in every part of Wirral.

The successful implementation of the budget and policy strategy laid out immediately following the formation of our Administration has ensured that we have avoided the crisis management seen in other local authorities and have delivered a 0% rise in the Council Tax for Wirral residents. We also recognise the burden that would be placed on those with modest fixed incomes by a rise in Council Tax and we have therefore maintained Council tax relief for over 75s ensuring that no Wirral resident will see their Council Tax rise this coming year.

Cutting the cost of Council administration

Through our commitment to making every pound of the public’s money matter we note that the following savings have been identified:

Savings previously agreed by Council

The Administration has continued to examine all reserves and departmental budgets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 327

On a motion by the Leader of the Council, to approve recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 22 February 2010 (to follow), subject to consideration of any amendments received in accordance with Standing Order 7(2) or Standing Order 13 (Budget Council Procedure) - see item 6 below.

If the proposed budget is amended, wholly or partly, that will be regarded as an in-principle decision, which will automatically come into effect five working days from the date of that decision, unless the Leader of the Council informs the Director of Law, H.R. and Asset Management in writing within that time that he objects to the decision becoming effective and provides reasons why.  In that case, the Director of Law, H.R. and Asset Management will call another meeting of the Council within a further five days (for which a reserve date has been set, namely 10 March). The Council will then be required to reconsider its decision, and the Leader’s written submission.  At that second meeting the Council can:

(i)  accept the Cabinet’s recommendation, without amendment or objection; or

(ii)  approve a different decision which does not accord with the recommendation of the Cabinet

by a simple majority of votes cast at the meeting.

A copy of the Estimates for 2010/11 is attached but has been circulated separately to members of the Council.

In accordance with Standing Order 13 (Budget Council Procedure), Councillor S Foulkes, Leader of the Council, moved the Cabinet’s Budget recommendations duly seconded by Councillor S Holbrook, Deputy Leader, with any additional paragraphs (those relating to precepts), and any other minutes from the Cabinet meeting on 22 February, 2010 that required approval by the Council. The following minutes were deemed to be approved, subject to consideration of the Conservative Group Budget Proposal which was received in accordance with Standing Order 7(2) (see minute 118 post).

(1) Minute 332 (Cabinet – 22.02.2010) Budget 2010-11

The Director of Finance presented the draft revenue estimates for 2010/11. A decision was required to enable recommendations to be made to the Council concerning the budget and Council Tax for 2010/11. This involved a key decision on the matter forming part of the budget and policy framework and it had been included in the Forward Plan.

The Leader of the Council submitted and commented on a motion which set out the budget proposals of the joint administration. He informed that the Council Tax rise in Wirral resulting from these proposals would be 1.29%, which would give an overall Tax of 1.67% when the precepts were included, and therefore a below-inflation increase, with the January RPI figures running at 3.7%. He went on to pay tribute to Cabinet Members and officers for their hard work in supporting the budgetary process.

The Leader reported that under the proposed budget there would be no Council Tax increase for pensioner households over 75 years of age and that for the Financial Year 2010/11 the Council would ensure that no pensioner household over 75 would have any increase in Council Tax liability, including the consequences of any police and fire increases. This applied where:

·  the Council Tax payer paid Council Tax in Wirral as their main home and all individuals in the household that were counted as resident for Council Tax purposes were aged 75 or over on 1 April 2010 (but where the qualifying age criterion was met after 1 April 2010 eligibility would be effective from the date of birth only);

·  this reduction would be calculated after deduction of all other Council Tax discounts and reliefs;

·  application must be made for the reduction where it was not currently in payment of the potential claimant was not in receipt of Council Tax Benefit; and

·  no pensioner household in receipt of full Council Tax Benefit would qualify for the reduction.

In seconding the motion and endorsing the Leader’s remarks, the Deputy Leader of the Council informed that this was a positive budget, focussed on the future.

Resolved – That

(1)  Investing In Wirral’s Future

A Budget for Jobs, the Environment and Safer, Stronger Communities

As we emerge from the worst recession since the Second World War, the economic recovery is fragile and expected to be long and slow. The country also faces unprecedented levels of debt in the public finances.

This is a time when many people are being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117

The Director of Finance presented the draft revenue estimates for 2010/11.  A decision was required to enable recommendations to be made to the Council concerning the budget and Council Tax for 2010/11.  This involved a key decision on the matter forming part of the budget and policy framework and it had been included in the Forward Plan.

The Leader of the Council submitted and commented on a motion which set out the budget proposals of the joint administration.  He informed that the Council Tax rise in Wirral resulting from these proposals would be 1.29%, which would give an overall Tax of 1.67% when the precepts were included, and therefore a below-inflation increase, with the January RPI figures running at 3.7%.  He went on to pay tribute to Cabinet Members and officers for their hard work in supporting the budgetary process.

The Leader reported that under the proposed budget there would be no Council Tax increase for pensioner households over 75 years of age and that for the Financial Year 2010/11 the Council would ensure that no pensioner household over 75 would have any increase in Council Tax liability, including the consequences of any police and fire increases.  This applied where:

·  the Council Tax payer paid Council Tax in Wirral as their main home and all individuals in the household that were counted as resident for Council Tax purposes were aged 75 or over on 1 April 2010 (but where the qualifying age criterion was met after 1 April 2010 eligibility would be effective from the date of birth only);

·  this reduction would be calculated after deduction of all other Council Tax discounts and reliefs;

·  application must be made for the reduction where it was not currently in payment of the potential claimant was not in receipt of Council Tax Benefit; and

·  no pensioner household in receipt of full Council Tax Benefit would qualify for the reduction.

In seconding the motion and endorsing the Leader’s remarks, the Deputy Leader of the Council informed that this was a positive budget, focussed on the future.

Resolved – That

1.  Investing in Wirral’s Future

A BUDGET FOR JOBS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND SAFER, STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

As we emerge from the worst recession since the Second World War, the economic recovery is fragile and expected to be long and slow.  The country also faces unprecedented levels of debt in the public finances.

This is a time when many people are being forced to make sacrifices and when those in public service need to be sure that everything they do stands up to public scrutiny, which is why no councillor is accepting any increase in their allowances and rail travel will be strictly scrutinised to ensure only the most appropriate and economic fares are used.

However, against this background, the Council’s finances are in good shape, as the effect of previous budget measures in the three-year efficiency plan finally work through.  There exists a window of opportunity for the Council to invest in the long term future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 332