Decision details

That Cabinet considers the responses to consultation and recommends to Council:

·         The 2019/20 revenue budget as attached in Appendix I.

·         The 2018/19 to 2021/22 capital programme as attached in Appendix J1.

That Cabinet approves changes to the draft capital budget proposals and programme for 2019/20 and as outlined in paragraph 3.17.

That a 5.95% increase in the Band “D” equivalent Council Tax for the County continues to be used as the planning assumption in the budget model and to apply for County purposes in 2019/20.

That Cabinet approves the revised saving and pressure proposals, updated following public consultation, scrutiny and more up to date information being made available since the draft proposals were released on consultation on 19th December 2018.

That Cabinet recognizes the risks resulting from the lack of clarification from Welsh Government and UK Government around the funding of teacher’s pensions increases and approves the mitigation strategy and approach proposed in paragraph 3.22.

That Cabinet makes an offer to Welsh Government to actively work with them to examine options for the longer term reform of local taxes and to make sure such a system is progressive, fair and transparent.

That Cabinet notes the movements anticipated in respect of earmarked reserves during 2019/20 culminating in forecast earmarked reserve balances of £5.73 million at the end of 2019/20.

That Cabinet recommends Council to dispose of assets identified in the exempt background paper at best value.

That Cabinet considers the Responsible Financial Officer’s report on the robustness of the budget process and the adequacy of reserves issued under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 2003

That Cabinet adopts the Responsible Financial Officer’s report on Prudential Indicators.

That Cabinet approves the following:

·         Further work is undertaken to develop a balanced Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) over the 3 year period 2020/21 to 2022/23.

·         Regular review of the MTFP to ensure it remains up to date, that including an assessment of evidence based pressures and risks, underlying modelling assumptions and the affordability implications of the Corporate Plan.

Agreed that Household Waste Recycling Centres will not close on consecutive days, closures agreed as:

·         Troy – Monday and Thursday closure

·         Usk – Tuesday and Friday closure

·         Llanfoist – Wednesday closure

·         Five Lanes – Thursday closure

Bank Holiday Mondays will close as normal. The revised arrangements will be monitored to determine whether any further changes need to be considered