Decision details

This report updates Cabinet on the final local authority finance settlement 2004/2005 announced at the end of January. In addition it outlines the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) letter to the Leader regarding excessive council tax increases.

The Cabinet noted the outcome of the final finance settlement report as detailed in section 3 of the report.
The Cabinet noted the letters from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the Cabinet's proposal to increase council tax by 15% set out in section 4 of the report.
The Cabinet agreed that, in light of the dialogue commenced with the Minister of State for Local and Regional Government, to recommend to the Council that· No decision to set the budget or agree any related matter is made on 19 February 2004 except in relation to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA)· The meeting of the Council due for 26 February 2004 is cancelled· A special meeting of the Council is called for a date after 26 February 2004 but on or before 10 March 2004 at which the budget and Council Tax will be set.
The Cabinet noted the list of possible measures, presented by officers, as contained in Appendix E.

The Council is required by statute to set a budget and Council Tax levels by 11 March each year and the constitution requires that Cabinet's budget proposals must be forwarded to Council for consideration and approval.