To consider a report from the Chief Financial Officer, which presents the 2022/23 forward budget to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA) for approval as well as details on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
Minutes:
The Authority considered a report from the
Chief Financial Officer (item 7 in the minute book), regarding the
2022/23 forward budget and the Medium Term Financial
Plan (MTFP) covering the period 2022/23 – 2024/25.
It was highlighted that an addendum to the report had been
circulated and published, which updated financial position and
business rates since the publication of the report, following
further announcements.
It had been proposed that council tax be increased by
the maximum level of £5 (7.10%) for
2022/23 due it helping with the medium term position and the
Service having one of the lowest council tax rates in England, but
this would only be for one year.
During questions, it was
confirmed that the final payment from the Isle Of Wight was yet to
be confirmed, as was the general pay increase, which had both been
accounted for within the budget.
Councillor Stephens welcomed the plans to improve the
infrastructure on the Isle of Wight and help them be more resilient
going forward.
The vehicle replacement programme covered a three-year period and
whilst officers were confident around the delivery times, there was
flexibility if needed and there were going to be set-backs. It was
noted that all delivery pressures were
scrutinised annually by the Executive Group and would always be
brought to the Fire Authority for approval.
RESOLVED
The Authority approved:
a. The additional delivery pressure of £0.218m per annum for contributions to ICT reserves.
b. The one-off Transformation Reserve draw of £0.250m to support the delivery of the Safety Plan year 3 objectives;
c. Contiuing the suspension of the Immediate Detriment Framework until the Standards and Governance Committee meeting currently scheduled for May 2022.
d. Delegating authority to the Chief Financial Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Authority, the Chairman of Standards and Governance and the Chief Fire Officer to make necessary decisions about Immediate Detriment in the interim, including decisions to apply immediate detriment in very exceptional circumstances where significant hardship could be caused by not applying it.
e. The Revenue Budget, as set out in Appendix A in the Addendum.
f. The Medium Term Financial Plan, as set out in Appendix B.
g. The Capital Programme and funding as set out in Appendix C.
h. The Reserves Strategy as set out in Appendix D.
i.
The Treasury Management Strategy as set out in
Appendix E, including the Annual Investment Strategy for 2022/23,
(and the remainder of 2021/22).
j.
Delegating 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.
k.
The Capital and Investment Strategy as set out in
Appendix F for 2022/23, (and the remainder of 2021/22).
l.
The Section 25 Report as set out in Appendix G which
should be taken into account by the Authority in agreeing the
budget and council tax.
m.
The council tax requirement for the Authority for
the year beginning 1st April 2022 of
£53,396,488.
n. Increasing the Authority’s council tax by £5 (7.10%) for the year beginning 1st April 2022 and for the properties in each band to be increased by 7.10%, as set out in para 18 of the main report on the agenda:
Band A: £50.29 Band E: £92.20
Band B: £58.67 Band F: £108.96
Band C: £67.05 Band G: £125.72
Band D: £75.43 Band H: £150.86
o) Issuing the precepts set out in para 24 of the main report on the agenda, totalling £53,396,488 on the billing authorities in Hampshire, 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.
Supporting documents: