To consider a report from the Treasurer, which presents the 2021/22 forward budget to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Shadow Authority (HIWFRSA) for approval.
Minutes:
The
Authority considered a report from the Treasurer (item 11 in the
minute book), which presented the 2021/22 forward
budget to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Shadow
Authority (HIWFRSA) for approval.
It was highlighted that an addendum had been circulated and
published that covered updates since the report had been produced,
as well as a new set of recommendations for the Authority to
consider following the updates.
Pages 67-68 of the pack were discussed, which included the
£2mil proposed deficit and a £500,000 contingency due
to the level of uncertainly regarding the ongoing impacts of
Covid. Following updates, the deficit
was amended to £778,000 in the addendum.
It was confirmed that the Council Tax increases on page 64 would
affect the Isle of Wight more due to aligning with Hampshire, but
it was accepted that budgets would be changeable within the first
year of the Combined Fire Authority being fully established.
The capital programme had been presented differently to assist with
clarity, and included two capital schemes for approval to ensure it
was fully up-to-date.
RESOLVED
The HIWFRSA approved:
a) The
use of the Grant Equalisation Reserve to balance the budget for
2021/22.
b). The Revenue Budget, as set out in Annex 2 to the
Addendum.
c). The Capital Programme and funding as set out in Annex 3 to the
Addendum including the addition of £100,000 to purchase new
co-responding vehicles.
d). Funding of up to £2m from the Capital Payments Reserve
for the redevelopment of Redbridge Fire Station, to replace
prudential borrowing which would be swapped to fund other capital
schemes.
e). The Reserves Strategy as set out in Annex 4 to the
Addendum.
f). The Treasury Management Strategy as set out in Appendix E to
the main agenda item, including the Annual Investment Strategy for
2021/22, (and the remainder of 2020/21).
g). Delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer to manage the
Fire and Rescue Authority’s investments and borrowing
according to the Treasury Management Strategy Statement as
appropriate.
h). Delegated authority to the Chief Financial Officer to make any
final minor changes to the budget using compensating adjustments to
the level of the draw from reserves, in order to balance the
overall budget.
i). The Capital and Investment Strategy
as set out in Appendix F to the main agenda item for 2021/22 (and
the remainder of 2020/21).
j). The Section 25 Report as set out in Appendix G to the main
agenda item which should be taken into account by the Shadow
Authority in agreeing the budget and council tax (noting the
reduced deficit and reduced draw required from the Grant
Equalisation Reserve).
k). The council tax requirement for the Authority for the year
beginning 1st April 2021 of £49,158,022.
l). That the new Combined Fire Authority’s tax be increased
by 1.99% above the Alternative Notional Amount set for 2020/21
(£69.06) for the year beginning 1st April 2021 and for the
properties in each band, as set out below:
Band
A: £46.95
Band B: £54.78
Band C: £62.60
Band D: £70.43
Band E: £86.08
Band F: £101.73
Band G: £117.38
Band H: £140.86
23. That the precepts set out below, totalling £49,158,022
are issued on the billing authorities in Hampshire & Isle of
Wight, requiring the payment in such instalments and on such dates
set by them and previously notified to the Authority, in proportion
to the tax base of each billing authority’s area as
determined by them.
Basingstoke
and Deane Borough Council
£4,692,554
East Hampshire District Council £3,620,600
Eastleigh Borough Council £3,364,749
Fareham Borough Council £3,085,151
Gosport Borough Council £1,882,087
Hart District Council £2,891,518
Havant Borough Council £2,919,184
Isle of Wight
£3,752,482
New Forest District Council £5,038,471
Portsmouth City Council £3,978,443
Rushmoor Borough Council £2,275,529
Southampton City Council £4,534,917
Test Valley Borough Council £3,543,756
Winchester City Council £3,578,581
Total
£49,158,022
Supporting documents: