Agenda and minutes

The opening prayer was read by the Vice-Chairman.

No questions received.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 43 Members voted in favour, with 1 abstention.

Councillor Laband declared an interest in relation to item 8 as he is a shareholder and pensioner of Standard Chartered Bank.

None.

The Chairman noted that recent engagements were listed on the Council’s website.

Councillor Ash-Edwards moved the item. It was seconded by Councillor J Belsey.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations as set out in the report which were approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

The Council agreed:

(i)      that £12,400 received from Department Business Energy & Industrial Strategy in respect of BEIS New Burdens Admin Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 23 of the Cabinet report;

(ii)      that £5,338 received from Department for Work & Pensions to meet the costs of new burdens relating to Local Authority Data Sharing be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 24 of the Cabinet report;

(iii)     that £34,800 grant received in respect of Northern Arc Phase 1 Planning Performance agreement funding be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 25 of the Cabinet report;

(iv)    that £15,081 grant received in respect of Planning Performance Agreements be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 26 of the Cabinet report;

(v)     the variations to the Capital Programme contained at paragraph 29 and 30 of the Cabinet report in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3;

(vi)    That Swan Mead and Temporary Accommodation are reported as a combined Temporary Accommodation programme to align to the overall delivery of the Temporary Accommodation offer.

Council also agreed the outstanding recommendations from Cabinet agreed on 18 July 2022:

(vii)    that £7,293 grant income in respect of a payment for Rough Sleepers be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 27 of the July report;

(viii)   that £20,761 grant income relating to Implementing Welfare Reform be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 28 of the July report;

(ix)    that £23,237 grant income for new burdens relating to Verify Earnings & Pensions be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 29 of the July report;

(x)     that £33,660 grant income relating to Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation funding be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs 30 of the July report;

(xi)    that £50,000 grant income relating to delivery of the Local Land Charges Programme timetable for the transition of LLC1 be transferred to General Reserve as detailed in paragraphs 31 of the July report;

(xii)    the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 43 of the July report in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

Councillor Pulfer moved the item which was seconded by Councillor Stockwell.

Discussion was held on the limits set with counterparties, and the opportunity to examine the green credentials of counterparties going forward.

The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations as set out in the report, which were approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council agreed:

(i)      the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for 2023/24 and the following two years,

(ii)      the Annual Investment Strategy (AIS) and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (MRP) as contained in Sections 4 and 2.3 respectively of the report;

(iii)     the proposed amendments to the specified and non-specified investment appendices;

(iv)    the Prudential Indicators contained within this report.

Councillor Ash-Edwards moved the item, acknowledging that it had unanimous support from the Scrutiny Committee and that this is the first budget post-pandemic which does not rely on the use of Reserves. The item was seconded by Councillor J Belsey.

The Council discussed the ways that the Budget and Plan provides support for residents, develops the capital programme, and provides investment in local services. Discussion was also held on potential areas to focus on for future years and how the Budget and Plan is affected by wider county and national issues such as the increase in inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

The Chairman took Members to a recorded vote on the recommendations as set out in the report, which were approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

Council approved:

i)        The Corporate Plan and Budget for 2023/24 as set out in this report;

ii)       The Revenue Budget of £19,819,586 as detailed in Section 1, 2, and 5;

(iii)     The Mid Sussex District Council element of the Council Tax be increased by 2.75% to £185.31, with no requirement to hold a local referendum in accordance with the Act.

(iv)    The Capital programme of £5,735,000 for 2023/24, as set out in section 3;

(v)     Having considered Cabinet’s budget proposals from their meeting of 6 February, the Council Tax Resolutions as set out in section 7.

Council also noted:

(vi)    The estimates for reserves and balances (see Section 4 for details) and the priority, as part of the sustainability of the financial robustness of the council, to increase reserves where possible.

(vii)    The summary Medium Term Financial Plan to 2026/27 (see Section 5 for details).

(viii)   That the estimated surplus on the Collection Fund for Council Tax totalling £1,515,000 for the year ended 31 March 2023, of which the Mid Sussex District Council share is £191,480 (see Section 6 for details) is noted.

(ix)    That the estimated deficit on the Collection Fund for Business Rates totalling £1,287,400 for the year ended 31 March 2023, of which the Mid Sussex District Council share is £514,960 (see Section 6 for details) is noted.