Report by the Chief Financial Officer to the Strategy and Resources Committee on
6th February 2023 (attached), and
(a) Minute Extract of Strategy and Resources on 6th February 2023 (to follow).
Minutes:
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive (circulated previously) regarding the Revenue Budget 2023/24, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-24 to 2028-29 together with Minute Extract of Strategy and Resources on 6th February 2022.
The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive highlighted the following:
· Funding levels to Local Authorities from 2012/13 to 2023/24.
· Finance Settlement – core spending power of 9.2% and analysis.
· As a Shire District the Council’s actual core spending power was on average only at 5%.
· The spending power varied according to region and the overall national level of 9.2% equivalent for the South West was 8.8%.
· Central Government had run a finance settlement consultation, closed 16 January 2023. Appendix F of the report showed the response our Council had made in relation to this consultation.
· The draft budget was assuming an increase of 2.99% on Council Tax.
· Retained growth on Business rates of around £2 million.
· The challenges to the budget came from reduced grant funding from Government, reduced workforce levels since 2010 and the uncertainty of the future Local Government Funding.
· Inflationary pressures on the budget came from increased staff pay, increased energy prices, rising fuel prices and increased costs of external contracts.
· There had been two earlier budget workshops with Members and a full report to Council in November 2022 to approve options identified to draft the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy.
· Bridging the gap in the budget as follows (as detailed in section 4.1.2.14 of the report):
Fair Funding Review assumed now postponed and the assumption of a cash freeze in funding |
(£528,000) |
Reversal of 1.25% rise on National Insurance (employers) |
(£80,000) |
Growth in sale of Recycling materials income |
(£250,000) |
Energy reduction on Council offices following capital investment |
(£29,000) |
Sub-total |
(£887,000) |
Review of Car Parking charges |
(£450,000) |
Review of Garden Waste charges |
(£90,000) |
Transfer of Public Conveniences to Town and Parish Councils |
(£240,000) |
Increased capital acquisitions of property for use as Temporary Accommodation |
(£80,000) |
Reduction in contribution to 2 x earmarked reserves due to making planned contributions earlier in 2022-23 year |
(£175,000) |
Total |
(£1,922,000) |
Years |
2023-24 £m |
2024-25 £m |
2025-26 £m |
2026-27 £m |
2027-28 £m |
2028-29 £m |
Budget gap / (surplus) |
0 |
0.499 |
3.027 |
3.488 |
3.548 |
3.455 |
Ø 2022-23 £9.506m
Ø 2023-24 £18.336m
Ø 2024-25 £4.299m
Ø 2025-26 £0.070m
Ø LED Lighting - renewal & safety testing £75,000
Ø Old Lime Kiln Larkstone Cove regeneration £111,325
Ø Victoria Pleasure Grounds – PC / bus Shelter £180,000
Ø Fairview & Brookdale – car park resurfacing £395,000
Ø Disabled Facility Grants (Better Care Fund) £1,200,000
Ø External Funding (£1,380,000)
Ø Regeneration reserve (£111,325)
Ø Repairs fund reserve (£250,000)
Ø Borrowing requirement (£220,000).
Ø Government Grants
Ø Key areas of income
Ø Capital receipts
Ø Savings plans
Ø Increase demand for services
Ø Localisation council tax support
Ø Business rates retention
Ø Welfare reform
Ø Commercial ventures.
Ø Additional income (Green Lanes and/or ‘new’ opportunities).
Ø Acquire further properties for temporary accommodation.
Ø Housing opportunities (explore delivery models).
Ø Increase to Council tax – 100% premium on second homes (April 2024) Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
In response to questions the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive provided the following responses:
· Expenditure in relation to capital business cases and return on investment, there would be a reduction on revenue energy costs, better lifespan and energy efficiency of LED bulbs, the lighting investment project in Council buildings was anticipated to repay itself within a two year period.
· The potential provision of a new public convenience block on Ilfracombe Seafront had been identified as part of the Ilfracombe Seafront Masterplan, which had identified the requirement of additional public toilets to be located in that area. Historically there were public conveniences located on the seafront in Ilfracombe many years ago and a temporary block was located there in 2022, paid for by the Town Council; and with the potential funding from external grant it was proposed that a block be installed. However, following completion of the block responsibility for its ongoing management and upkeep costs would fall within the remit of Ilfracombe Town Council.
· The layout of the toilets would be carefully designed to mitigate the potential risks of anti-social behaviour.
· The Committee commended the regeneration and incorporation of the old limekiln, which would be funded by the Regeneration Projects reserve; the reserve, which had been created from some of the revenue generated by Green Lanes and was benefiting the wider district.
· Rural areas could potentially benefit from any funding generated through the Regeneration Projects reserve and any project approaches made to the Council would be considered.
· Opportunities were currently being explored to utilise solar panels on Council owned buildings and should any potential schemes come forward a business case would be developed.
· There were approximately 1800 second homes currently within the North Devon area, which equated to about five percent of the Council Tax base.
· The definition of a second home was any dwellings which was no one’s sole or main residence; and was substantially furnished.
· At its meeting on 6th February 2023, the Strategy and Resources Committee approved that, subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill becoming law, from 1 April 2024 a premium of 100% would apply for all dwellings which are unoccupied but substantially furnished.
· External funding was achieved substantially through government grants.
· Any additional properties that the Council owned for temporary accommodation would generate a return on their investment.
· If the Council was to go down the route of Council owned properties for market rental under housing, they would need to look at a different delivery model, as they could not hold a housing stock under their current operating arrangements.
· The cost of accommodating a person in Bed and Breakfast temporary accommodation can cost between £70.00 and £90.00 per night, which over a 12 month period equated to between £25,000 and £30,000.
· There was also a requirement to consider the wellbeing of the people that were placed in hotels and other establishments.
· The utilisation of Council owned properties for temporary accommodation made better financial sense and ensured the wellbeing of the person being housed within a council owned property.
· Between April 2022 and January 2023 there were 1,485 presentations for housing options to the Council.
· With regards to affordable homes for local people, the Council worked closely with local developers through the Housing team.
RESOLVED, that the decisions and recommendations 2.1.1 to 2.2.4 of the Strategy and Resources Committee be endorsed.
The Committee congratulated the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive and the Finance team for presenting a balanced budget.
Supporting documents: