Decision details

To receive the draft General Fund 2019-20 for the purpose of finalising proposals for service budgets and Council Tax.

Councillor A Azad, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Financial Planning and Policy, introduced the report which outlined the draft General Fund Budget for 2019-20.  Following a question regarding staff numbers, Councillor Azad reported that the staffing structure would be kept under review during the budget setting process.  It was noted that staff numbers were likely to increase in the coming months due to the Council taking over direct staffing of the market and also as a result of additional posts related to increased housing activity.  Regarding the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, the Executive was advised that hire charges for community groups represented good value for money and were benchmarked against other authorities.

RESOLVEd

That  (i)    the draft General Fund Budget for 2019/20 be received; and

          (ii)   Managers, Corporate Management Group and Portfolio Holders continue detailed budget preparation for consideration by the Executive in February 2019.

Reason:   Consideration of these proposals will enable the preparation of the Council’s budgets for 2019/20 to proceed.

Cllr Azad, Portfolio Holder, and Business Managers.