RESOLVED:

1.    That the response to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission be agreed;

2.    That having considered all of the information in this report and noted the positive assurance statement given by the Director of Corporate Services based on the proposed Council Tax strategy, the maximum Council Tax in 2020/21, equating to a Band D Council Tax of  £1,276.92, which is an increase of below 4% be approved and recommended to Council for approval.

3.    That all of the latest information and the comments from the scrutiny process be considered, and recommendations to Council be made as appropriate

4.    That the Business Plan 2020-24 including the General Fund Budget and Council Tax Strategy for 2020/21, and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2020-24 as submitted, along with the draft Equality Assessments (EAs), be approved and recommended to Council for approval subject to any proposed amendments agreed at this meeting;

5.    That having considered all of the latest information and the comments from the scrutiny process, the Capital Investment Programme (as detailed in Annex 1 to the Capital Strategy); the Treasury Management Strategy (Section 5), including the detailed recommendations in that Section, incorporating the Prudential Indicators and the Capital Strategy (Section 4) as submitted and reported upon be approved and recommended to Council for approval, subject to any proposed amendments agreed at this meeting;

6.    That it be noted that the GLA precept will not be agreed by the London Assembly until 24 February 2020, but the provisional figure has been incorporated into the draft MTFS.

7.    That officers be requested to review the savings proposals agreed and where possible bring them forward to the earliest possible implementation date

8.    That it be noted that there may be minor amendments to figures in this report as a result of new information being received after the deadline for dispatch and that this will be amended for the report to Council in March.

9.    That Risk Management Strategy be approved.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which set out the proposed budget for 2020-24, and reiterated the points made in his response to Councillor Southgate at item 4.  He thanked all those involved in the production of the business plan and welcomed the financially disciplined approach with business-like decisions taken at an early stage and the great deal of progress made against the savings target.  He highlighted the uncertainty which had impacted the early stage of this year’s budget process and the small amount of growth proposed, which was in response to some areas in Children’s Services having struggled to come in on budget.  The Council tax being proposed was 1.99% from Merton and a 2% Adult Social Care precept and it was noted that virtually all councils were raising their council tax by a similar amount.  The Government’s financial settlement may have been slightly more generous than previous years but would not prevent the Council having to make further savings.  The modest savings proposed had been scrutinised and the Scrutiny Panels and Commission were satisfied with the approach taken.  A gap was still forecast by the end of the period, which had reduced to £9m and a balanced budget was being proposed for the next year and a minimum reserve level for contingencies.  He felt that the budget proposed would provide the best outcome for residents and make the borough a great place for families.

The Director of Corporate Services drew Members’ attention to page 47 which included the cost of replacing Bishopsford Bridge, which would go to Council for approval in March.  The report also included a review of the current position with the DfE and the DSG deficit.  She thanked colleagues for their work on the business plan and advised the Cabinet that she was satisfied to sign if off for Council approval as the Council’s s151 officer.

The Chair thanked everyone involved in the production of the business plan which would contribute to bridging the gap between the east and west of the Borough and contribute to making Merton a great place for families.  He noted that a balanced budget was recommended but acknowledged that there was still work to be done. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the response to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission be agreed;

2.    That having considered all of the information in this report and noted the positive assurance statement given by the Director of Corporate Services based on the proposed Council Tax strategy, the maximum Council Tax in 2020/21, equating to a Band D Council Tax of  £1,276.92, which is an increase of below 4% be approved and recommended to Council for approval.

3.    That all of the latest information and the comments from the scrutiny process be considered, and recommendations to Council be made as appropriate

4.    That the Business Plan 2020-24 including the General Fund Budget and Council Tax Strategy for 2020/21, and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2020-24 as submitted, along with the draft Equality Assessments (EAs), be approved and recommended to Council for approval subject to any proposed amendments agreed at this meeting;

5.    That having considered all of the latest information and the comments from the scrutiny process, the Capital Investment Programme (as detailed in Annex 1 to the Capital Strategy); the Treasury Management Strategy (Section 5), including the detailed recommendations in that Section, incorporating the Prudential Indicators and the Capital Strategy (Section 4) as submitted and reported upon be approved and recommended to Council for approval, subject to any proposed amendments agreed at this meeting;

6.    That it be noted that the GLA precept will not be agreed by the London Assembly until 24 February 2020, but the provisional figure has been incorporated into the draft MTFS.

7.    That officers be requested to review the savings proposals agreed and where possible bring them forward to the earliest possible implementation date

8.    That it be noted that there may be minor amendments to figures in this report as a result of new information being received after the deadline for dispatch and that this will be amended for the report to Council in March.

9.    That Risk Management Strategy be approved.