Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Ramsay seconded that (a) the Summary of Council Expenditure and Council Tax set out in Appendix C of the report be approved; (b) the 10-year budget 2012/13 to 2022/23 which is the guiding framework for the detailed approval of future years’ budgets set out in Appendix A to the report, including the growth and savings proposals set out in Appendix B to the report, and where possible any variations during and between years be met from the Budget Stabilisation Reserve be approved; and (c) The changes to reserves set out in Appendix F of the report be approved.

The report set out the proposed budget and required levels of Council Tax for 2013/14.  The proposed net expenditure budget was £13.800m (£13.44m in 2012/13).  Subject to any further changes this would result in a Council Tax increase of 1.98% in 2013/14, with the District’s Council Tax being £185.49 for a Band D property for the year.

Councillor Fittock proposed and Councillor Underwood seconded the following amendment:

That the net expenditure for this Council for 2013/2014 be held at £13.443m thus resulting in the District’s Council Tax being unchanged from the current rate.

This would be achieved by accepting the grant available from Central Government equivalent to a 1% increase in Council Tax.

The budget would be revised:

Contribution from Central Government       £92,510

Savings from Democratic Services               £52,510

Contributions from general reserves            £40,000         

Members held a debate on the proposed amendment.  The amendment was put to the vote and was LOST.

Members returned to debating the original motion. This was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That

(a)   The Summary of Council Expenditure and Council Tax set out in Appendix C be approved;

(b)   The 10-year budget 2012/13 to 2022/23 which is the guiding framework for the detailed approval of future years’ budgets set out in Appendix A to the report, including the growth and savings proposals set out in Appendix B to the report, and where possible any variations during and between years be met from the Budget Stabilisation Reserve be approved; and

(c)    The changes to reserves set out in Appendix F of the report be approved.