Issue - meetings

Council considered minutes from the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Tuesday, 16^th February 2021 and recommendations from the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Monday, 22^nd February 2021 directly before Council.

The following items were discussed:

Pay Policy Statement 2021/22

The Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 was considered in some detail.  Members commented that the report was required to set out the pay for staff employed at all levels of the organisation, from the Chief Executive to the lowest paid staff.  Reference was made to the pay increase that had been awarded to staff employed by Redditch Borough Council and this was welcomed in recognition of the hard work of staff during the pandemic.

During consideration of this item concerns were raised about the potential impact of public sector pay freezesmoving forward.  However, Members also noted that the proposals outlined an increase to the wages paid to staff employed by the Council that was above the level of inflation.

Medium Term Financial Plan 2021/22 to 2023/24

Council considered the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan 2021/22 to 2023/24.  Members commented that a balanced budget position had been secured for 2021/22 despite the financial challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic and the additional workload that had been generated for Council staff.  Officers working in the Financial Services team were thanked for their hard work in respect of balancing the budget.

In proposing the recommendations detailed in the report, the Leader outlined an alteration to the sixth recommendation in the report which was seconded by Councillor Mike Rouse.  This alteration was as follows:

“The net general fund revenue budget be approved:

            2021/22 £10.467 million

            2022/23 £10.064 million

            2023/24 £10.051 million”

This alteration was adopted.

During consideration of this item, Councillor Bill Hartnett proposed an alternative budget.  This alternative budget was seconded by Councillor Greg Chance. 

Members were advised that in the alternative budget recommendations 1 to 8 in the report would remain as detailed in the agenda.  However, the alternative budget included altered wording and figures in respect of recommendations 9 and 10, as follows:

“9)     Approval of the increase of the Council Tax per Band D at 0.7% for 2021/22; and

10)    Approval of the drawdown from balances of £42k for 2021/22.”

In proposing the alternative budget, Councillor Hartnett explained that a one-year settlement had been outlined for Members’ consideration.  The additional information that had been requested in respect of the budget at the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 16^th February 2021 had helped to inform the content of the alternative budget.  Consideration had also been given to the financial position of local government and the need for greater certainty to be provided in respect of Council finances moving forward.  A key concern had been the impact of Covid-19 on local residents and businesses, particularly people who had been furloughed or had been made unemployed as a result of the pandemic, many of whom were struggling financially as a consequence.  To address this, the alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69