Agenda item

Members considered the Draft Executive Business Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2020/21 – 2024/25, which included actions to be undertaken to deliver the Corporate Plan over the next 3 years.

The MTFP aimed to set a robust overall framework for the Authority’s spending plans over the next 5 years in supporting the delivery of the Corporate Plan.

The Chief Executive gave an introduction to the report, and highlighted to Members some of the current assumptions of the financial strategy.  The first of these assumptions was a 2% rise in Council Tax, with the government allowing a 3% headroom.  The second assumption was a 2% pay increase for staff; however this offer had been rejected by the unions.  Negotiations would be monitored.

Members then asked questions of officers.  Further information was provided as detailed below:

·         Neighbourhood Plans were not included in this paper as they were part of the Council’s ‘business as usual’ work.  Where there was support to revise Neighbourhood Plans in line with the local plan then parishes would be involved;

·         The interest payable on net revenue expenditure was towards the higher end of the risk scale, without being substantially high;

·         The Chief Executive and the Leader had had a meeting with Sir Edward Leigh MP; a letter would be written to him to request a visit from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding funding.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had written to government on behalf of Greater Lincolnshire;

·         The possibility of aggregating towns together to attract more government funding was discussed; however this would not be possible as the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government would not accept this approach;

·         The Corringham Road scheme was being forward funded by WLDC to allow development to start; Lincolnshire County Council were to input into this fund in due course;

·         There was a challenge with the smaller towns in the District as it would be difficult for them to attract government funding, hence why Gainsborough would likely attract more money as it was the largest town by population in West Lindsey.

Unanimously RESOLVED to:

(1)  Recommend to Council the approval of the Draft Executive Business Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2024/25;

(2)  Approve the use of and contributions to Reserves;

(3)  Accept the statement of the Chief Finance Officer on the Robustness of Estimates and Adequacy of Reserves;

(4)  Consider and recommend to Council the Revenue Budget 2020/21;

(5)  Consider and recommend to Council the Capital Investment Programme 2020/21 to 2024/25;

(6)  Delegate any housekeeping changes to the Draft Executive Business Plan and the Draft Medium Term Financial Plan to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee prior to the final consideration by Council on 2 March 2020.