The Finance & Investment Portfolio Holder presented the report which revised the budget for the forthcoming financial year and recognised the level of Council Tax in light of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, Council Tax base calculation and other updated data.  Based on the changes detailed in the report, Council would continue to have a balanced 10-year budget.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer for Finance & Trading set out that the report also proposed a net expenditure budget of £16.783m in 2021/22 (£15.581m in 2020/21).  Subject to any further changes this would result in a Council Tax increase of 2.25% in 2021/22, with the District’s Council Tax being £224.91 for a Band D property for the year (£219.96 in 2020/21), an increase of £4.95. This would also result in an additional ongoing commitment to the Net Zero Transition Fund.

The report also contained details on the Collection Fund position and an updated opinion on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that

a)   the updated Summary of Council Expenditure and Council Tax for 2021/22 set out in Appendix D to the report, be approved;

b)   the updated 10-year budget 2021/22 to 2030/31 as set out in Appendix B(i) to the report, be approved; and

c)   the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2020/21, be rolled forward to 2021/22, with effect from 1 April 2021, as set out in Appendix G to the report.