Issue - meetings

Council is asked to agree the budget for 2023/24 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Cllr Leaver moved, and Cllr Caliskan seconded, the report.

Cllr Leaver introduced the report and noted that this was the first budget of the new Administration and reflected its priorities and manifesto. The background challenges were highlighted, including reduced government funding, Covid-19 impacts, and inflationary and demographic pressures. Consultation in relation to setting the budget, including presentation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was also noted. The comments of the Chief Finance Officer in respect of the robustness of the budget were included in the report and noted. The Council would be setting a balanced budget. It was prudent, well thought through, and resilient.

The Opposition expressed their concerns in respect of high borrowing by the Administration commenting that interest charges would need to be paid back and cuts would be made to frontline services. Despite a 20% core grant increase and other grants, the Administration proposed an increase in Council Tax, precept, fees and charges, and rents. Money was being spent on external consultants and solicitors, and on Civic Centre refurbishments, but there was no cost-of-living assistance for residents.

During the debate, Cllr Leaver moved, and Cllr Georgiou seconded, a procedural motion under paragraph 13.20 (ii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that an amendment be made to the recommendations at paragraph 8 of the report so that the proposals in respect of a 2.99% general Council Tax increase, and of a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept be separate recommendations and be voted on separately. This amendment to the report recommendations was AGREED.

The time for the end of the meeting having been reached, a procedural motion moved by Cllr Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for 10 minutes was AGREED.

The amended recommendation 8.ii: to set a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept, was agreed following a recorded vote (as required by law) detailed below:

For:

Cllr Abdul Abdullahi

Cllr Josh Abey

Cllr Nicki Adeleke

Cllr Gunes Akbulut

Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu

Cllr Maria Alexandrou

Cllr Nawshad Ali

Cllr Kate Anolue

Cllr Mahym Bedekova

Cllr Sinan Boztas

Cllr Nesil Caliskan

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu

Cllr Mustafa Cetinkaya

Cllr Lee Chamberlain

Cllr Hivran Dalkaya

Cllr Chris Dey

Cllr Guney Dogan

Cllr Hannah Dyson

Cllr Elif Erbil

Cllr Ergin Erbil

Cllr Susan Erbil

Cllr Peter Fallart

Cllr Thomas Fawns

Cllr Reece Fox

Cllr Alessandro Georgiou

Cllr Margaret Greer

Cllr Pat Gregory

Cllr Adrian Grumi

Cllr Ayten Guzel

Cllr Nelly Gyosheva

Cllr Ahmet Hasan

Cllr James Hockney

Cllr Suna Hurman

Cllr Chris James

Cllr Rick Jewell

Cllr Chris Joannides

Cllr Joanne Laban

Cllr Tim Leaver

Cllr Andy Milne

Cllr Elisa Morreale

Cllr Gina Needs

Cllr Tom O’Halloran

Cllr Ahmet Oykener

Cllr Sabri Ozaydin

Cllr Bektas Ozer

Cllr Paul Pratt

Cllr Michael Rye

Cllr Julian Sampson

Cllr George Savva

Cllr David Skelton

Cllr Jim Steven

Cllr Nia Stevens

Cllr Emma Supple

Cllr Doug Taylor

Cllr Andrew Thorp

Cllr Eylem Yuruk

The amended recommendation 8.iii: to set a 2.99% general Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6