Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bokhari, Hicks, Skeete and Williscroft.

Councillor Hall attended online.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2025 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 spoke to outline the procedure for the Budget section of the meeting. They also reminded the Council that all budget related decisions, including proposed amendments were required to be recorded within the minutes with a list of 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 Executive Director Finance & Digital presented the Budget 2025-26 and MTFS 2025-29. The Executive Director then responded to questions from Councillors Mundy, MacArthur, Brunt, McLean, Attawar, Dresselaers, Manly, Paterson, Syeda, Braithwaite and Whelton.

The Leader of the Council presented the Budget 2025-26 and MTFS 2025-29 and 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. The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Fairclough addressed the meeting and their 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, Cooper-Marbiah, McCabe, Macauley, Alambritis, Kenny and Kaweesa.

The Mayor then invited members to move proposed amendments to the report. Councillor Oliver formally moved the three Liberal Democrat amendments which were formally seconded by Councillor McGrath. Councillor McLean formally moved the Conservative amendment which was formally seconded by Councillor Paterson.

The Mayor then opened up the general debate on the proposed amendments and on the substantive report. The following members spoke in the debate: Councillors Johnston, Willis, Kirby, Page, Brunt, Akyigyina, Hall, Butcher, Syeda, Mercer, Mundy, Holden, Henry, Oliver, Hayes, Charles, Ofeimu, Howard, Neaverson, Gould, Manly, Wilson, Whelton, Kohler, Bhim and seconding the report Councillor 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 Budget 2025-26 and MTFS 2025-29. Voting was as follows:

Liberal Democrat Amendment 1

Votes in Favour: Austin, Barlow, Braithwaite, Cox, Dresselaers, Fairclough, Flack, Foley, Galea, Gould, Holden, Howard, Kohler, MacArthur, McGrath, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Page, Paterson, Reiss, Willis and Wilson (23)

Votes Against: Akyigyina, Alambritis, Attawar, Bhim, Brunt, Butcher, Charles, Christie, Cooper-Marbiah, Garrod, Hayes, Henry, Johnston, Judge, Kaweesa, Kenny, Kirby, Macauley, Manly, McCabe, Mundy, Neaverson, Ofeimu, Pearce, Stringer, Syeda, Whelton, Deputy Mayor Councillor Fraser and the Mayor Councillor Sczepanski (29)

Not Voting: (0)

The Mayor declared the amendment to be lost.

Liberal Democrat Amendment 2

Votes in Favour: Austin, Barlow, Braithwaite, Charles,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The report was moved by Councillor Christie and seconded by Councillor Garrod.

RESOLVED:

A.    That Council approved the Pay Policy Statement 2025/2026 for publication

The report was moved by Councillor Christie and seconded by Councillor Bhim.

At 22.09, the Mayor moved to extend the meeting by a further 30 minutes and this was agreed.

The report was put to the vote and carried: Votes For – 31, Against – 21, Not Voting – 0.

RESOLVED:

That Council:

A.    Approved the Members Allowances scheme attached as Appendix A for 2025/26 and agreed that Part 6 of the Council’s Constitution be updated accordingly

B.    That Council approved that the basic allowances and Special Responsibility Allowances for 2025/26 will be increased in line with the annual staff pay award and will be applied and backdated to 1 April 2025 once the outcome of the staff pay negotiations are known.

The report was moved by Councillor Whelton and seconded by Councillor Bhim.

The Cross-party amendment was moved by Councillor Fairclough and seconded by Councillor Foley.

Councillor McLean also spoke on the item.

Councillor Fairclough stated a point of personal explanation that the amendment would not amend the proposed new title for the Standards and General Purposes Committee.

The amendment as set out in agenda item 8 was put to the vote and fell: Votes For – 24, Against – 28, Not Voting – 0.

The report as put to the vote and was agreed: Votes For – 30, Against – 21, Not Voting – 1.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council approved the amendments to the Constitution as detailed in Appendix A and summarised at para 4.2.

B. That Council approved that the Monitoring Officer is authorised to carry out any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from these amendments.