Issue - decisions

Draft Budget 2020/21

03/12/2019 - Draft Budget 2020/21

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report which presented the draft budget 2020/21 for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account. He also directed Members’ attention to the tabled papers which included some changes to the original report. The draft budget was in line with the MTFP presented earlier at this meeting and would form the basis of the budget scrutiny and budget consultation processes. Overall there was a balanced budget for 2020/21, although there were a number of risks with this projection that were explored within the report. The report also included the HRA draft budget which incorporated the assumptions in the 30 year business plan presented to the Cabinet in October.

 

The Portfolio Holder drew particular attention to paragraph 13 of the report which explained that the draft budget included a £5.00 (or 3.1%) increase in Council Tax. This would maintain Ashford’s position as the lowest taxing Authority in Kent.

 

Resolved:

 

That    (i)         the draft budget for 2020/21 be approved.

 

(ii)        the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2020/21, as contained at Section 2 of the report, be approved.

 

(iii)       the report will be used as the basis for budget consultation with the public, the business community, Parish Councils and staff.

 

(iv)      the draft budget as set out in the report should now be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Budget Task Group for formal scrutiny.