COUNCIL Agenda Item 92
Subject: Supplementary Financial Information for Budget Council
Date of meeting: 23 February 2023
Report of: Chief Finance Officer
Contact Officer: Name: James Hengeveld
Tel: 01273 291242
Email: James.Hengeveld@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
For general release
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT:
1.1 To update Members with further budget information and revisions since the General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 report was considered at Policy & Resources Committee on the 9 February 2023.
1.2 The proposed budget is based on the Administration’s proposed increase to the City Council’s element of the council tax of 4.99% including a 2% Adult Social Care precept. Together with the Police and Fire elements of the council tax, the overall increase for most residents of Brighton and Hove will be 5.17%.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1 That Council use the statutory budget calculation and the Council Tax Resolution set out in this report to derive a 4.99% council tax increase as the basis of debate at the meeting.
3. CONTEXT / BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2023/24 General Fund Budget & Council Tax
3.1 The new and revised information likely to be covered in this report was set out in paragraph 12.3 of the 9 February 2023 Policy & Resources Committee report and will cover the following:-
· The final Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24;
· Any other grants announced before Budget Council;
· The agreed Council Tax set by the East Sussex Fire Authority & Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner;
· The statutory Council Tax calculations required under the 1992 Local Government Finance Act;
· The full budget and Council Tax resolution for Budget Council; and
· Other information as necessary including a detailed Budget Book.
Final Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24
3.2 A written ministerial statement on the final Local Government Finance Settlement was made on the 6 February 2023. There was an increase of £0.095m in the Service Grant for 2023/24 which is now £2.392m. The settlement also announced an allocation in respect of the distribution of the business rates levy account surplus 2022/23 which is a one-off allocation of £0.496m for the council expected to be received in 2022/23.
Other Changes
3.3 The Carelink service charges agreed at item 126 of the Policy & Resources Committee on 9 February 2023 generated an additional £0.022m which was not reflected in the budget presented to Policy & Resources Committee.
3.4 No further grant information has been announced outside of the final Local Government Finance Settlement.
3.5 Therefore, the changes to the Service Grant allocation and additional Carelink income means there is £0.117m unallocated in the budget.
Council Tax
3.6 The following table shows the overall council tax proposed incorporating the amounts set by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and the East Sussex Fire Authority.
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TABLE 7: Council Tax |
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|
|
2023/24 Band D Council Tax |
Change on 2022/23 |
Percentage change |
|
Brighton & Hove City Council |
£1,883.63 |
£89.60 |
4.99% |
|
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner |
£239.91 |
£15.00 |
6.67% |
|
East Sussex Fire Authority |
£104.37 |
£5.00 |
5.03% |
|
Total for Brighton & Hove residents |
£2,227.91 |
£109.60 |
5.17% |
Budget and Council Tax Appendices
3.7 Details of the additional council taxes paid by residents of Rottingdean Parish and Enclosure Committees for the maintenance of gardens in Hanover Crescent, Marine Square and Royal Crescent are given in Appendix 9.
3.8 The list of new budget and council tax appendices attached to this report is included under Supporting Documentation below.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Appendices:
8. The statutory calculations required under the 1992 Local Government Act.
9. Proposed full resolution for Budget Council.
10. Budget Book 2023/24