Agenda item

(a)  Leeds City Council Revenue Budget 2008/09 and Council Tax 2008/09

To consider a report on the proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2008/09, and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied in 2008/09

(b)  Housing Revenue Account Budget 2008/09

To consider a report on the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2008/09.

(c)  Capital Programme 2007-2011

To consider the report of the Director of Resources on the Capital Programme 2007-2011.

(d)  Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statements

To consider a report on the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statements.

(A)  Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2008/09

  The Director of Resources submitted a report on the Council’s budget for 2008/09 following detailed consideration of service requirements and taking account of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The report indicated that the budget would result in a Band D Council Tax of £1,064.37 for consideration by Council.

  RESOLVED –

(i)  That Council be recommended to approve the Revenue Estimates for 2008/09 totalling £540,509,000 as detailed and explained in the submitted report and accompanying papers, including a 4.7% increase in the Leeds’ element of the Council Tax.

(ii)  That as the Police Authority budget meeting is currently scheduled for 22^nd February 2008, Council be recommended to establish a committee of the Council specifically to set the final Council Tax.

(iii)  That the fees and charges policy as detailed in appendix 5 of the report be approved.

(iv)  That the proposal to change the childcare fee structure as detailed in the Children’s Services budget briefing report be approved.

(v)  That the proposed local performance indicators as detailed within paragraph 13 of the report be approved.

(B)  Housing Revenue Account Budget 2008/09

The Directors of Resources and Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a joint report on the Housing Revenue Account budget and ALMO management fee distribution for 2008/09.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the Council be recommended to approve the budget at the average rent increase figure of 5.8%.

(ii)  That the Council be recommended to approve that service charges be increased in line with average rent rises.

(iii)  That the Council be recommended to approve that the charges for garage rents be increased to £5.55 per week.

(C)  Capital Programme 2007-2012

  The Director of Resources submitted a report setting out the updated capital programme for 2007-2012.

  Following consideration of appendix F to the report designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

  RESOLVED –

(i)  That the Council be recommended to approve the capital programme as attached to the submitted report.

(ii)  That the Director of Resources be authorised to manage,  monitor and control scheme progress and commitments to ensure that the programme  is affordable.

(iii)  That the disposal of land and property sites as detailed within exempt appendix F to the report be agreed in order to generate capital receipts to support the capital programme.

(iv)  That the Council be recommended to approve the proposed Minimum Revenue Provision policies for 2008/09 as set out in paragraph 5.3.2 and appendix G to the report.

(D)  Treasury Management Strategy 2008/09

  The Director of Resources submitted a report on the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2008/09 and the revised affordable borrowing limits under the prudential framework. The report also provided members with a review of strategy and operations in 2007/08.

  RESOLVED –

(i)  That the initial Treasury Strategy for 2008/09 as set out in section 3.3 of the report be approved and that the review of the 2007/08 strategy and operations, as set out in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the report be noted.

(ii)  That the Council be recommended to set the borrowing limits for 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, as set out in section 3.4 of the report.

(iii)  That the Council be recommended to set the treasury management indicators for 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, as set out in section 3.5 of the report.

(iv)  That the Council be recommended to set the investment limits for 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, as set out in section 3.6 of the report.

(The matters referred to in parts A(i) and (ii), B(i), (ii) and (iii), C(i) and (iv) and D (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this minute being matters reserved to Council were not eligible for Call In)

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions contained in this minute)