Decision details

To obtain approval for the Council’s draft revenue and capital budget 2023/24 as the basis for scrutiny and consultation with residents, staff, businesses, partners, trade unions and schools in line with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

In coming to this decision I have given due and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) by reference to the law itself.

Having fully considered all the available information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and take the recommended decision to:

1.    Approve for consultation and scrutiny the Budget Consultation documentation:

§  Consultation questionnaire (Annex A)

§  Budget Consultation Document -including the detailed revenue, capital and Dedicated School Grant budgets for 2023/24 (Annex B)

2.    Agree that a public consultation be undertaken on the Council’s draft budget 2023/24 for a four week period between 8^th December 2022 and 5^th January 2023.

For the reasons set out in the report.

In accordance with paragraph 3.1.4 (Publication of information before decisions are taken by Executive Members) within Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution (Codes and Protocols, Protocol on Decisions to be taken by Executive Members), the Chief Executive, Peter Bungard, confirms this decision can be taken before five days have elapsed following the publication of the report, for the reasons outlined below:

-       The uncertainty surrounding many of the factors affecting setting the draft 2023/24 budget has meant that officers have been working on the draft budget up until the time of publication

-       The need to launch public consultation on the draft budget as early as possible to allow as much time as possible for public consultation on the Council’s draft revenue and capital budget 2023/24