Agenda item

(a). Leeds City Council Revenue Budget 2009/10 and Council Tax 2009/10

To consider a report on the proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2009/10, and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied in 2009/10.

(b). Capital Programme 2008-2012

To consider the report of the Director of Resources on the Capital Programme 2008-2012.

(c). Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statements

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

The Board extended its thanks to all those involved in compiling the 2009/10 budget.

(A)  Revenue Budget 2009/10 and Council Tax 2009/10

  The Director of Resources submitted a report on the Council’s budget for 2009/10 following detailed consideration of service requirements and taking account of the Local Government Finance Settlement, the Council’s Financial Plan and the current economic climate. The report indicated that the budget would result in a Band D Council Tax of £1,095.61.

  RESOLVED –

(i)  That Council be recommended to approve the Revenue Budget for 2009/10 totalling £556,808,000, as detailed and explained in the submitted report and accompanying papers, including a 2.9% increase in the Leeds element of the Council Tax.

(ii)  That with respect to the Housing Revenue Account, Council be recommended to:

(a)  approve the budget at the average rent increase figure of 6.2%;

(b)  increase the charges for garage rents to £5.89 per week;

(c)  depool service charges in 2009/10, but increase them in line with the average rent rises;

(d)  abolish the Residential Housing Officer service charge to tenants in the East North East and Aire Valley ALMO areas for 2009/10 onwards.

(iii)  That Council be recommended to approve the proposed revisions to the Budget and Policy Framework rules as detailed in Appendix 3 to the submitted report

(B)  Capital Programme 2008-2012

  The Director of Resources submitted a report setting out the updated capital programme for 2008-2012.

  RESOLVED  -

(i)  That the following be recommended to Council:

(a)  That the capital programme, as attached to the submitted report be approved, and that the list of schemes shown at Appendix H to the report be reserved until additional resources become available;

(b)  That Executive Board be authorised to approve in year amendments to the capital programme including transfers from and to the reserved programme in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules;

(c)  That the updated capital approval delegations in Financial Procedure Rules as shown in Appendix I to the report be approved;

(d)  That the Minimum Revenue Provision policy for 2008/09 be amended as set out in paragraph 5.3.2 of the report;

(e)  That the proposed Minimum Revenue Provision policies for 2009/10, as set out in paragraph 5.3.3 and explained in Appendix G to the report be approved.

(ii)  That the list of land and property sites shown in Appendix F to the report be disposed of to generate capital receipts to support the capital programme;

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

(C)  Treasury Management Strategy 2009/10

  The Director of Resources submitted the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2009/10 and provided an update on the implementation of the 2008/09 strategy.

  RESOLVED –

(i)  That the initial treasury strategy for 2009/10, as set out in section 3.3 of the report be approved, and that the review of the 2008/09 strategy and operations, as set out in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the report be noted;

(ii)  That Council be recommended to set the borrowing limits for 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 as detailed in section 3.4 of the report;

(iii)  That Council be recommended to set the treasury management indicators for 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 as detailed in section 3.5 of the report;

(iv)  That Council be recommended to set the investment limits for 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 as detailed in section 3.6 of the report;

(v)  That Council be recommended to reaffirm the Treasury Management Policy Statement and to note the amendments to section 7 of the statement entitled “Approved Instruments and Organisations for Investments” as detailed at appendix C to the report.

(The matters referred to in parts A(i), A(ii)(a) to A(ii)(d), A(iii), B(i)(a) to B(i)(e) and C(ii), (iii), (iv) an (v) 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)