Issue - meetings

The Leader moved the item, noting that Members had received an updated report which corrects Council Tax figures for the year ahead. He noted that Members last met in person a year ago to debate the Corporate Plan and had asked about scenario planning in the face of the impending pandemic. The Leader’s reply at the time noted the Council’s ability to be agile in its response and this year has proven this to be the case.

He noted that over the last year, the Council has worked to an unprecedented scale in establishing new services such as the business grants programme and support for vulnerable and shielding residents, as well as continuing existing services with rising demand. It has also had to respond to an ever-changing landscape as Leisure Centres and the local economy closed and reopened as multiple lockdowns were imposed.  He acknowledged the cost of the pandemic both to the country and the Council and noted that the current year will result in over £2m deficit which will need to be funded from reserves, even after the support received from Government has been utilised.

The Leader confirmed that a balanced budget is presented, but only as a result of windfall income from business rates retention and the Council’s finances are not on a sustainable footing over the medium term and the Council’s reserves will reach a perilous position within the next four years. Regrettably therefore, a 2.9% increase to the District Council’s share of Council Tax is necessary next year but the Council Tax Support Scheme means that those residents on the lowest incomes are supported with the cost of this bill.

The Leader drew Members attention to the clear priorities contained in the Corporate Plan which include supporting the economic recovery, with work being done alongside Mimms Davis M.P. and the Department of Work and Pensions at Haywards Heath College, and the rollout of the Council’s infrastructure programme including the Northern Arc and gigabit speed full fibre. Other key priorities include ensuring that the Council has an environmentally friendly recovery by developing a Sustainable Economy Strategy, continuing to help vulnerable people in the communities and the critical task of beginning to rebuild the Council’s finances after the impact of the pandemic

The Deputy Leader seconded the item reiterating the need to build towards the future even if it is uncertain.

Several Members congratulated Officers on the work involved to present a balanced budget in difficult circumstances.

A Member queried what plans are in place to respond to the call on reserves over years 2-5 of the budget, particularly regarding the proposed Science and Technology Park and ways to bring manufacturing back into the District. The Leader acknowledged that it was hard to know at this stage the true effect of the deficit, but he expected improvements to be evident once the Government restrictions begin to lift. The Council will continue to provide services as efficiently as possible and seek to diversify its income base as quickly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9