Agenda item

The Council is asked to consider and approve the Council Plan and Budget for 2024/25, the Capital Strategy 2024-29 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2024/25, in the light of a report pack by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property which is enclosed with the agenda and an addendum which will be published and provided before the meeting.

57.1     The Leader moved the report on the Council Plan and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property moved the report on budget for 2024/25, the Capital Strategy 2024-29 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2024/25 (budget pack pages 1 to 242). Members also had before them an addendum with a number of changes to the revenue budget, together with corresponding revisions to the recommendations in the report and to Appendix 1 of Annex 1 (pages 1 to 9), which had been circulated.

 

57.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr O’Kelly and seconded by Cllr Lord as set out below.

 

1.    Amend the wording at paragraph (a) on page 3 of Council Plan and Budget report to read as follows:

 

The Council Plan for 2021 to 2025 is focussed on four priority outcomes with an underlying commitment to climate change action andunderpinned by a cross cutting theme of ‘Protecting the Environment’ and these remain unchanged for 2024/25.

 

2.    Amend the wording at paragraph 2.6 on page 14 of the Council Plan and Budget report to read as follows:

 

‘Our Council Plan 2021-2025’ is attached at Appendix 8 with an underlying commitment to climate change action and is underpinned by the cross-cutting theme of ‘Protecting the Environment’. The plan sets out the four key priorities for the County Council:

 

3.    Amend paragraph 5.17 on page 51 of the Council Plan and Budget report to read as follows:

 

Climate change action and protecting the environment remains a WSCC priority as outlined in the Council Plan and the Climate Change Strategy.

 

4.    Amend the 7^th bullet point on pages 137/8 of the Council Plan and Budget report to read as follows:

 

West Sussex Transport Plan – we are delivering the objectives and strategic priorities for improving the transport network up to 2036 set out in our West Sussex Transport Plan of April 2022, to enable active travel and access to education, employment and services, and decarbonise the transport system while taking action on climate change and protecting the local environment.

 

5.    Amend the wording of the second bullet point of paragraph 3.6 on page 164 of Council Plan and Budget report to read as follows:

 

In line with the underlyingcommitment to climate change action andtheme of protecting our environment, deliver the developments to a high quality that are appropriate to agreed design and sustainability standards, including electric vehicle charging points, air source heat pumps, feature porches and composite windows.

 

6.    Amend the final line for In-Flight Approved Projects in the table at Appendix A of Annex 2a (Capital programme for Environment and Climate Change) on page 181 to read:

 

Climate Change action and Protecting the Environment.’

 

57.3     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.35.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 20

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr McKnight, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Smith, Cllr Walsh and Cllr Wild.

 

(b)         Against the amendment – 42

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr Dabell, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)         Abstentions – 0

 

57.4     The amendment was lost.

 

57.5     An amendment was moved by Cllr Lord and seconded by Cllr O’Kelly as set out below.

 

Proposed amendment to the Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing Increase for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendment to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
Active Travel Officer	55
Buses and Community Transport Officer	55
Rights of Way Officer	55
Operation Watershed Officer	40
Drainage Team Officer	80
Two outreach workers within the county-wide exploitation team, supporting children at risk from drug and/or sexual exploitation in our most deprived areas	84
Two additional officers within the emotional mental health & wellbeing team working with schools to support our children’s mental health	148
Additional revenue spending to highways for road safety maintenance	300
Total Ongoing Amendment	817

 

One-off Increase for Revenue Budget

 

One-off amendment	2024/25 £’000
Additional post dedicated to exploring sponsorship and income generation opportunities	60
Total One-Off Amendment	60

 

Ongoing Funding for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendments to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
Increased income from street works enforcement	(25)
Reduction of three Executive Assistants	(135)
Additional increases of 1-1.5% on some fees within legal, planning, rights of way, records office, highways, fire services and commercial fees within library service	(82)
Surplus income from roundabout sponsorship of £50k plus new income of £10k generated through start of work on income generation	(60)
Additional vacancies of 0.25% on top of existing budget assumption of 6% vacancy factor	(500)
Initial reduction in postage and stationery within support services	(15)
Total Ongoing Funding	(817)

 

One Off Funding for Revenue Budget

 

One-off amendments	2024/25 £’000
One off use of Transformation Reserve for funding of additional post dedicated to exploring sponsorship and income generation opportunities for one year	(60)
Total One-Off Funding	(60)

 

Total

 

Total	2024/25 £’000
Total ongoing increase in revenue budget	817
Total one-off increase in revenue budget	60
Total ongoing funding	(817)
Total one-off funding	(60)
Total Budget Change	-

 

Proposed amendments to the Capital Programme

 

Increase

 

Amendment to the Capital Programme	2024/25 £’000	2025/26 £’000	2026/27 £’000	2027/28 £’000	2028/29 £’000
Restore Operation Watershed funding to £600,000 from 2024/25 onwards	200	200	200	200	200
Total Increase	200	200	200	200	200

 

Funding

 

Amendments to the Capital Programme	2024/25 £’000	2025/26 £’000	2026/27 £’000	2027/28 £’000	2028/29 £’000
Reduction in the Capital Improvements Line	(200)	(200)	(200)	(200)	(200)
Total Reduction	(200)	(200)	(200)	(200)	(200)

 

57.6     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 19

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr McKnight, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Smith, Cllr Walsh and Cllr Wild.

 

(b)         Against the amendment - 42

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr Dabell, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)         Abstentions – 0

 

57.7     The amendment was lost.

 

57.8     An amendment was moved by Cllr Cornell and seconded by Cllr McKnight as set out below.

 

Proposed amendment to the Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing Increase for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendment to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
An additional Outreach Worker focussed on Pre-School to identify children and families in need of support with mental health and from the Early Help Service at an earlier stage.	40
A new post of Carers Liaison Officer to support transitions, liaise with Carers Support West Sussex, and stakeholders with a focus upon public involvement and development of evidence-base and quality ‘Making it real’ benchmarks.	56
Total Ongoing Amendment	96

 

One Off Increase for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendment to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
An additional Quality Control Officer (or part time equivalents) focused on identifying and inspecting damage and repairs to potholes and pavements.	38
Total One-Off Amendment	38

 

Ongoing Funding for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendments to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
Reduction in Members’ catering budget	(11)
Reduction in the Policy Team by 15%	(45)
Reduction in Corporate Contingency	(40)
Total Ongoing Funding	(96)

 

One Off Funding for Revenue Budget

 

Ongoing amendments to the revenue budget	2024/25 £’000
Allocation of the £4m additional funding in highways maintenance to be allocated to additional Quality Control Officer.	(38)
Total One-off Funding	(38)

 

57.9     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 20

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr McKnight, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Smith, Cllr Walsh and Cllr Wild.

 

(b)         Against the amendment – 42

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr Dabell, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)         Abstentions – 0

 

57.10  The amendment was lost.

 

57.11  The revised recommendations were put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the revised recommendations – 42

 

Cllr Albury, Cllr Ali, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Bence, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Britton, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Crow, Cllr Dabell, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Evans, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Greenway, Cllr Hall, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kenyon, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr McGregor, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr Nagel, Cllr Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Wall and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(b)         Against the revised recommendations – 0

 

(c)         Abstentions – 20

 

Cllr Baxter, Cllr Cherry, Cllr Chowdhury, Cllr Condie, Cllr Cornell, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Gibson, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Kerry-Bedell, Cllr Lord, Cllr McKnight, Cllr Mercer, Cllr Milne, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oppler, Cllr Pudaloff, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Smith, Cllr Walsh and Cllr Wild.

 

57.12  The revised recommendations were carried.

 

57.13  Resolved –

 

That, taking account of the priorities contained in the Council Plan, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and noting the Director of Finance and Support Services’ assessment of the robustness of estimates and adequacy of reserves as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 (Section 9), Cabinet proposes that County Council approve the following recommendations:

 

(1)         The Council Plan and KPIs for 2024/25 (as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report and Appendix 8).

 

(2)         The net revenue budget requirement in 2024/25 of £768.333m (as set out in paragraph 3.37 of the report and Appendix 1).

 

(3)         An increase in Council Tax in 2024/25 of 4.99% comprising 2.0% in the precept for the costs for Adults’ Social Care and 2.99% for General Fund services.

 

(4)         The increase in fees and charges as set out in Appendix 7 to the report.

 

(5)         The five year capital programme of £695.270m over the period 2024/25 to 2028/29, of which £131.571m is expected to be spent in 2024/25.

 

(6)         The overall budget envelopes as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

(7)         The following amounts be approved for the financial year 2024/25 in accordance with Section 42A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

 

(a)         That the Council Tax requirement for 2024/25 is £600.178m.

 

(b)         The Council Tax base for the year 2024/25 is the aggregate amount calculated of Band D equivalents by the billing authorities to which the County Council issues precepts totalling 349,968.28.

 

(c)         The amount of Council Tax being the council tax requirement at 7(a) above divided by the council tax base at 7(b) above, shall be £1,714.95 to the nearest penny for Band D.

 

(d)         The amount of Council Tax payable for dwellings listed in a particular valuation band, calculated in accordance with the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, shall be as follows:

Band	2024/25 Council Tax £	2023/24 Council Tax £	Increase   £	Increase   %
A	1,143.30	1,088.94	54.36	4.99
B	1,333.85	1,270.43	63.42	4.99
C	1,524.40	1,451.92	72.48	4.99
D	1,714.95	1,633.41	81.54	4.99
E	2,096.05	1,996.39	99.66	4.99
F	2,477.15	2,359.37	117.78	4.99
G	2,858.25	2,722.35	135.90	4.99
H	3,429.90	3,266.82	163.08	4.99

 

(e)         That the district and borough councils be requested to make payments totalling £600.178m to West Sussex County Council of sums due under precepts calculated in proportion to their Council Tax Band D equivalents as set out in Section 10 of the report.

 

(8)         The Medium Term Financial Position for period 2025/26 to 2028/29 which shows a budget gap of between £58m and £190m as set out in Section 6 of the report.

 

(9)         The total Schools Budget of £850.293m to meet the County Council’s statutory requirement on schools funding as set out in Section 4 of the report.

 

(10)      The delegation to the Director of Finance and Support Services (as Section 151 Officer) of authority to make changes to the report on net revenue expenditure or to the precepts required:

 

·         as a result of a change in the Council Tax base notified by the district and borough councils; or

 

·         arising from updated information from the district and borough councils to the Council Tax collection funds and business rates forecast and collection funds.

 

All such changes of funding (positive or negative) to be applied through the appropriate reserve.

 

(11)      These ancillary financial management provisions:

 

(a)     The Capital Strategy for the period 2024/25 to 2028/29, including the specific delegation of authority set out in the Strategy, as set out in Annex 2(a).

 

(b)     The policy for making a prudent level of revenue provision for the repayment of debt as set out in Annex 2(a) Appendix B.

 

(c)      The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2023/24 and 2024/25 as set out within the Capital Strategy, Annex 2(a), Section 8.

 

(d)     The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2024/25, as set out in Annex 2(b).

 

(e)     The Prudential Indicators, as set out in Annex 2(c).

 

(12)      The importance of effective lobbying with local, regional and national partners to ensure the Government understands the needs of West Sussex residents, businesses and communities. The focus during 2024/25 will be on funding for children’s social care, home to school transport, high needs and essential road maintenance. This is particularly important in the run up to the Spring Budget on 6 March 2024 and the next spending review which is expected shortly after the general election.