1. Initial Budget Proposals 2015/16 Initial Budget Proposals 2015/16 Presentation by Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Performance and Efficiency Overview & Scrutiny Committee 26 th November 2014

3. Budget Strategy Freeze council tax level Deliver balanced budget over a 4-year period Strategic approach following Peer Challenge Use New Homes Bonus for investment Better rate of return on investments Maintain our good services Deliver value for money; drive out cost Manage income risk

4. No increase in Council Tax £1.52m savings / additional income identified Improving frontline services New Homes Bonus used to attract external funding £4.0m of new investment (Revenue & Capital) 10p after 3.00pm Car Parking to continue Continued support to Parish & Town Councils Key Proposals

5. 2015/16 Budget Details Government Grant Allocation Priority Investment Areas Budget Saving Proposals Fees & Charges Business Rates Local Council Tax Support Scheme Other Changes Balances & Reserves Capital

6. Government Grant Allocation Settlement Funding Assessment reduced by 15.5% to £5.64m Revenue Support Grant reduced by 31.4% to £2.45m Future years assumes reduction of 7% in SFA Autumn Statement – 3 rd December

7. Priority Investment Areas (1) Additional investment in the Local Plan Increasing planning resources to maintain effective services Investment in property and land Economic development - improving infrastructure, e.g. broadband, road congestion, A120, business start-up units, Witham Enterprise Centre and industrial estates Building more affordable homes Refurbishing our car parks Continuing to support town centres Support for the District Employment and Skills Board

8. Priority Investment Areas (2) Working with partners to improve health and wellbeing Increasing funds for Disabled Facilities Grants Investing in community transport Improving cycle ways & play areas Increasing energy efficiency, e.g. solar panels Expanding recycling services to flats and trade waste customers Improving communication and website services to our customers

9. Budget Saving Proposals £000 Previously identified (696) Additional income anticipated (816) New savings (9) -------------------- Total (1,521) ---------------------

10. Fees & Charges No increase for - Car parks - Building control, - Land charges - Community transport Specific reviews on a case by case basis Other increases in line with inflation

11. Business Rates £000 2015/16 Baseline 3,191 Estimated income (4,630) Levy payment 586 Additional income (853) Growth already allowed for 244 Net additional income (609) Pooling- Additional Income in 2016/17 (250) ?

12. Local Council Tax Support No changes to the current scheme proposed Service level agreement with CAB to continue Exceptional Hardship Fund to be retained Contributions from Essex County Council, Essex Police and Essex Fire & Rescue agreed for 2015/16

13. Other Changes £000 Collection Fund surplus(172) Taxbase increase (40) Council Tax Support & Housing Benefits admin. Subsidy (-14.3%) 117 New Homes Bonus(244) Use of Balances 280

14. 2016/17 onwards Based on 2% increase in Council Tax and a continuing 7% reduction in SFA 2016/17 Shortfall£166,535 2017/18 Shortfall£780,310 2018/19 Shortfall£604,061

15. Balances & Reserves £000 Unallocated balances @31/3/16 (7,843) Unallocated New Homes Bonus (931) Capital Resources (3,175) S106 monies (557) Earmarked reserves @31/3/15 (4,406)

16. Capital £000 Resources available (8,630) Approved programme3,201 Proposed programme2,254 Resources carried forward (3,175)

17. Capital projects Witham leisure centre Affordable housing schemes Play area refurbishment programme Disabled facilities grants Solar Panels /Wind turbine Community transport minibuses Parks & open spaces Maintenance of assets ICT upgrades

18. Next stages Cabinet 1 st December 2014 – initial budget proposals Council 15 th December (LCTSS) Business Leaders Board 13 th January Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 28 th January Cabinet 2 nd February Council 16 th February 2015