Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Pearce.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2023 are agreed as an accurate record.

Part 4A, paragraph 3.3 of the Constitution states that the business at the Budget Council meeting shall include the following:

· receive a presentation of the Budget/Council Tax report from the relevant officers

· officers to respond to questions from members via the Mayor

· receive remarks from the Cabinet on the report

· Council to debate the report and take any motions or Amendments

In accordance with Part 4A, paragraph 10.4 of the Constitution, all decisions relating to either the substantive budget motion/proposal or any amendments to it, will be taken via a recorded vote (roll call).

The Mayor opened the meeting and outlined the procedure for the Budget Council meeting. She also reminded the Council that all budget related decisions, including proposed amendments were required to be recorded within the minutes with a list of the names of those who voted for or against the decision or who abstained from voting and a roll call vote would be taken for the substantive budget motion and any amendments to it.

At the invitation of the Mayor, the Interim Executive Director Finance and Digital presented the Business Plan 2023-27. The Director then responded to questions from Councillors Charles, Dresselaers, Skeete, Barlow, Szczepanski, MacArthur, Bhim, Cox, Dollimore, Galea and Neaverson.

The Leader of the Council presented the Business Plan 2023-2027 and formally moved the recommendations in the report whilst making his budget speech to Council, a copy of which is appended to the minutes as Appendix A.  Councillor Christie formally seconded the recommendations, and reserved his right to speak.  The Mayor then invited the opposition Group Leaders in turn to respond to the Budget proposal and the Business Plan. The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Fairclough addressed the meeting and his speech is attached to the minutes, as Appendix B. The Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor McLean, addressed the meeting, and his speech is attached to the minutes, as Appendix C.  The Leader of the Merton Park Ward Independent Residents Group, Councillor Foley, addressed the meeting and his speech is attached to the minutes, as Appendix D.

The following members of the Cabinet addressed the meeting: Councillors Stringer, Judge, Irons, Alambritis, Fraser, Kenny, Cooper-Marbiah and McCabe.

The Mayor then invited members to move proposed amendments to the Business Plan. Councillor Fairclough formally moved the four Liberal Democrat amendments which were formally seconded by Councillor Kohler who reserved his right to speak. Councillor McLean formally moved the Conservative amendment and this was formally seconded by Councillor Paterson.

The Mayor then opened up the general debate on the proposed amendments and on the proposed substantive Business Plan. The following members spoke in the debate: Councillors Manly, Oliver, Hayes, Gould, Bhim, Paterson, Butcher, Hicks, Macauley, Wilson, Kaweesa, Foley, Kirby, Holden, Mundy, Reiss, Akyigyina, Braithwaite, Williscroft, Willis, Attawar, Flack, Johnston, Austin, Brunt, Hall, Dollimore, McGrath, Neaveson, Page, Whelton, Kohler and Christie.

At the conclusion of the debate, Councillor Garrod exercised his right of reply and the Mayor then called for a roll-call vote on the Liberal Democrat Amendments to the Business Plan 2023-27. Voting was a follows.

Liberal Democrat Amendment 1

Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Barlow, Bokhari, Braithwaite, Cox, Dresselaers, Fairclough, Flack, Foley, Galea, Gould, Hall, Hicks, Holden, Howard, Kohler, MacArthur, McGrath, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Page, Paterson, Reiss, Willis, Wilson (26)

Votes against: Councillors Alambritis, Attawar, Bhim, Brunt, Butcher, Charles, Christie, Cooper-Marbiah, Dollimore, Fraser, Garrod, Hayes, Irons, Johnston, Judge, Kaweesa, Kenny, Kirby, Macauley, Manly, McCabe, Mundy, Neaverson, Skeete, Stringer, Szczepanski, Whelton, Williscroft, Deputy Mayor Akyigyina and the Mayor Councillor Henry. (30)

Not Voting: None (0).

The Mayor declared the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The report was formally moved by Councillor Stringer and formally seconded by Councillor Christie.

Councillor Fairclough also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

1. That Council approved publication of the Pay Policy Statement attached as Appendix A for 2023/24 and authorised the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential changes to the Constitution.

2. That Council approved the Members’ Allowance Scheme attached as Appendix D for 2023/24