On the resumption of the meeting, to receive and consider recommendations from the Executive Committee and to pass the appropriate resolutions in respect of the Medium Term Financial Plan 2012/13 – 2014/15.
(Executive Committee Report refers)
Minutes:
The Council considered the recommendations of the Executive Committee in respect of the Initial Estimates for the coming three years, together with a proposed Statement of Pay Policy document.
The Leader commented that the proposals being put forward were focussed upon investment. She stated that in recent years investment had been made in a number areas, including IT replacement, the maintenance of public buildings, the replacement of Dial A Ride vehicles and economic development. Furthermore, the new Abbey Stadium facility had also been completed.
The Leader of the Opposition Group presented an alternative budget proposal to the Council. The proposals were reported to be aimed at helping the community and improving the lives of both young and old. The additional expenditure proposed was for free swimming for the under 16s and over 60s and for the reintroduction of concessionary bus travel prior to 9.30am. This additional expenditure was to be funded by a number of savings including the withdrawal of capital bids for both the proposed Morton Stanley Park footpath works and the Crossgates Depot security works together with the withdrawal of Redditch Matters, the Pay and Display Car Parks and spending on consultants.
In response to these alternative proposals, the Council Leader noted that these had neither been considered by the Budget Jury nor the Overview and Scrutiny process and so would not be entertained by the controlling Group. The alternative budget proposals put forward by the Leader of the Opposition were the subject of the following named vote in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.5:
Members voting FOR the motion:
Councillors Rebecca Blake, Greg Chance, Andy Fry, Bill Hartnett, Robin King, Wanda King, Alan Mason, Phil Mould, Mark Shurmer, Luke Stephens and Debbie Taylor.
(11 votes)
Members voting AGAINST the motion:
Councillors Peter Anderson, Michael Braley, Andrew Brazier, Juliet Brunner, David Bush, Michael Chalk, Simon Chalk, Anita Clayton, Brandon Clayton, Carole Gandy, Adam Griffin, Roger Hill, Gay Hopkins, William Norton, Jinny Pearce, Brenda Quinney and Derek Taylor.
(17 votes)
Members abstaining from voting:
Councillor Malcolm Hall.
Accordingly, the Motion fell, and it was consequently
RESOLVED that
1) the high bids as identified in Appendix A to the report be approved:
2012/13 £116,000
2013/14 £101,000
2014/15 £101,000;
2) the high capital bids as detailed in Appendix B to the report be approved:
2012/13 £1,217,000
2013/14 £1,586,000
2014/15 £1,687,000;
3) the use of balances totalling £259,000 be approved;
4) Pay Policy Statement at Appendix D to the report be approved;
5) the retention by Redditch Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Club of the sum representing the refund on VAT on the grant funded works undertaken at their grounds in 2005/06 be approved and, in return, the Club agree to relieve the Council of its commitment to provide a sinking fund for the refurbishment/replacement of the all weather pitch which will in future be the exclusive responsibility of the Club; and
6) the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services be requested to prepare an agreement that brings Resolution 5), above, about.