Apologies were received from Councillors AM Atkinson, J Hardwick, JF Knipe, PJ McCaull, GR Swinford and DC Taylor.

Agenda item 6: Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

Councillor BA Durkin declared a non-pecuniary interest as a trustee of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor RJ Phillips declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Director on the Enterprise Zone Board.

Agenda item 7: Pay Policy Statement

Councillor RJ Phillips declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Employers’ side of the National Joint Council.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2014.

RESOLVED:      That the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with a supplementary question asked at the meeting and its answer, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

The Chairman reported that no questions had been submitted by Councillors.

To approve the draft medium term financial strategy for 2015/16 to 2016/17 and the 2015/16 revenue budget as recommended by Cabinet on 22 January.

Two proposed amendments to the revenue budget have been submitted and published to the council’s website as a supplement to the agenda papers

Guidance on how the debate on the budget will be conducted has also been published to the council’s website as a supplement.

These documents are available at the following page on the council’s website:

http://go.m-gov.eu/064M5054

Council was asked to approve the draft medium term financial strategy for 2015/16 to 2016/17 and the 2015/16 revenue budget as recommended by Cabinet on 22 January.

The Assistant Director, Governance reminded Members that he had issued a procedure note on the conduct of the debate on the budget.   He added that if any amendments were approved it would be open to the  Leader to move the suspension of standing orders to remove the need for the budget, as amended, to be referred back to Cabinet before formal adoption by Council.

The Chief Financial Officer commented that if the recommendations as published were to be adopted the Council would set a balanced budget.  Three amendments had so far been received and if any or all of these were adopted Council would still be able to set a balanced budget.

He added that approval of any of the amendments moved a budget allocation from one budget head to another; it did not change policy or authorise the activity which the budget amendment sought to support.  That was the function of Cabinet which would receive reports on those items before making a decision to implement any change in policy.

The Leader presented the budget report.  He informed Council that the Government had announced the final budget settlement for 2015/16.  Following lobbying from local government additional funding had been made available nationally in recognition of the pressures in funding Adult Social Care.  Herefordshire’s allocation amounted to £220,000.  As this announcement had been received after Cabinet had made its recommendations to Council he proposed that the additional funding of £220,000 be added to Adult Social Care Reserves.

He welcomed the fact that the Council was on target to deliver within the overall 2014/15 budget in what had been a difficult year.  He congratulated Councillors and officers on the approach that had been followed in making some difficult decisions.   He noted that the outlook for 2015/16 was even harder.

He proposed the budget as set out in the report as amended.  Councillor PM Morgan seconded the motion.

In accordance with the budget procedure other political group leaders were invited to speak in turn.

Councillor RI Matthews spoke as leader of the Independent Group.  He expressed a number of reservations about the budget, in particular about what he considered to be excessive borrowing and the sale of assets.

Councillor Powers spoke as leader of the It’s our County Group.   He expressed his thanks for the early involvement of political groups in developing the protocols and procedures for debating the budget which he had found beneficial.  He indicated that he would reserve his comments on the budget to his closing remarks.

Councillor TM James spoke as leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.  He expressed his dissatisfaction with the provisions in the current governance arrangements relating to the respective roles of Council and the executive in determining policy and the adverse effect this had on the budget debate.

Councillor FM Norman spoke as leader of the Green Group.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider the pay policy statement and the approval of salary packages in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.

Council was asked to approve the 2015 pay policy statement for publication; to approve the salary package for the director of adults and wellbeing in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED:

That      (a)     the pay policy statement summarising existing council policies (at Appendix A to the report) be approved; and

              (b)     the director of adults and wellbeing salary of £120,000 be approved.