On a motion by the Leader of the Council, to approve recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 21 February 2012 (attached), subject to consideration of any amendments received in accordance with Standing Order 7(2) or Standing Order 13 (Budget Council Procedure) - see item 5 above and 8 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 such circumstances, the Budget and Policy Framework provides for the Director to call another meeting of the Council within a further five days The Council will then be required to reconsider its decision, and the Leader’s written submission, within a further five working days. The actual position is that a reserve date (Wednesday 7 March) has been set aside for considering any objection by the Leader. 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.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting on 21 February will be circulated separately. The following reports to Cabinet are attached, unless stated otherwise:

• Council Budget 2012/13
• Schools Budget 2012/13

(Copies of the Estimates 2012/13 (Blue Book) have been circulated separately to all Members)

• Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2012/15 (Report attached)
• Carbon Budget 2012/13 (Report attached)

In accordance with Standing Order 13 (Budget Council Procedure), Councillor Jeff Green, Leader of the Council, moved the Cabinet’s budget recommendations duly seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie, Deputy Leader, with any additional paragraphs (those relating to precepts) and any other minutes from the Cabinet meeting on 21 February, 2012 that required approval by the Council. The following minutes were deemed to be approved, subject to consideration of Budget amendments.

1.  Minute 317 (Cabinet – 21 February 2012) Council Budget 2012/2013

Resolved – That:

the budget presented to cabinet this evening is designed to enable the new Council Administration to take the urgent action required to address the crisis of confidence local people have in this Authority.

It will enable us to tackle the urgent concerns regarding the Council’s ability to protect our most vulnerable residents and put us on the path to providing high quality services that are designed and delivered according to the wishes and needs of our communities.

Given the time we have had available we have accepted the budgetary assumptions made by the previous Administration (after all they have had nine months to examine the books). However we absolutely reject the Labour administrations decision to axe in excess of £1 million From the Day Services budget for 2013/14.

We will act to put right the injustices identified in the Anna Klonowski report. We will pay back in full all those who were overcharged back to 1997. We will reinstate Martin Morton if that is what he wishes, and we will ensure all who need to be held accountable for those dreadful failings are dealt with.

We believe the Council exists to serve local people not to tell them what we think is best for them and we have placed this principle at the heart of this budget.

Residents across Wirral are making careful decisions about their household budgets and monthly outgoings. To support them the Government has announced funding that has enabled us to freeze their Council Tax. In addition, when consulted, local people said that a cut in Council Tax was a clear priority for them. Therefore today we are announcing:

A rebate equivalent to a 3% cut in the Council Tax. With a commitment to work in future years to make this permanent

An extension of the current council tax relief scheme for the over 75s scheme to over 70s households

And for all households who pay via direct debit, provide the opportunity to spread their payments across twelve rather than ten months.

Combined with this year’s freeze and rebate over 70s households in Band B with a Direct Debit will pay £36.94 less each month.

As a result of sticking to our fundamental principal that people rather than Council’s know how to spend their own money best it has allowed us to inject an additional £4 million into local businesses and Wirral’s economy as residents have more money to spend locally. We will continue to strive to rebalance our local economy for the benefit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Finance set out the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2012-2015 in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Public Services.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2012-2015 be approved;

(2)  the Prudential Indicators be adopted;

(3)  the Minimum Revenue Provision policy be approved; and

(4)  the Council Officers listed within Appendix E, of the Strategy Statement be authorised to approve payments from Council bank accounts for all treasury management activities.