Purpose

To consider an update on the impacts of the 2025/26
Finance Settlement and medium-term financial position and to
approve revenue estimates and Council Tax for 2024/25.

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1.      
THAT the decisions made regarding the recommendations in this
report be exempt from call in (as agreed by the Chair of the
Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee) on the
grounds of urgency, and for the reasons set out in paragraphs 2.3
to 2.4 of the report.
 

2.      
THAT it be noted that the Council has not received any feedback
following the consultation with Non-Domestic Ratepayers, and have
due regard to the result of the equality impact assessment in
Appendix F.
 

3.      
THAT the following be agreed and referred to full
Council: 

(a)   
The council tax requirement for the year 2025/26 of
£154,792,070 (inclusive of the Garden Squares
levies).

(b)   
The calculations for determining the council tax requirement
for the year 2025/26 in accordance with the Local Government
Finance Act 1992, as set out in Appendix B.

(c)   
To note that the 2025/26 Greater London Authority (GLA)
precept set out in this report is £490.38 for Band D and as
shown for all bands in Appendix B and is subject to Greater London
Authority approval of the budget on 25 February 2025.

(d)   
That the Council sets the amount of council tax for 2025/26,
as detailed in Appendix B and notes that this will mean a Camden
element of council tax of £1,615.98 for Band D residents not
in Garden Squares.

(e)   
That the Council hereby determines that its basic amount of
council tax for the financial year 2025/26 is not excessive, as
outlined in paragraph 2.45.

(f)     
The budget summary as set out in Appendix C.

(g)   
The budget investments included in paragraphs 2.24 to 2.37,
including the continuation of the £2m Cost of Living Crisis
Fund.

(h)   
Note the statutory Section 25 notice detailed in paragraphs
7.1 to 7.22 summarising the assurance that the budget is set using
sound assumptions and the level of reserves is deemed
adequate.

(i)     
The Garden Squares levy requirements received for each Garden
Square Committee for 2025/26, as shown in Appendix B.
 
4.      
THAT in relation to fees and charges the following be agreed:
   

(a)   
THAT the new fees and charges and those increasing above 7%
discussed in paragraphs 2.53 to 2.55 and in Appendix D1 be agreed,
and recommend to Council the fees and charges listed in Appendix
D2.   

(b)       
THAT authority be delegated to the relevant Executive
Director to decide increases to existing fees and charges up to a
maximum of 7%, following consultation with the relevant portfolio
holders.

(c)       
THAT authority be delegated  to the Head of
Camden Accessible Transport Services, after consultation with the
Director of Environment & Sustainability and the Director of
Finance, the ability to amend the CNG charge set out in paragraphs
2.56 to 2.57 of the report in line with wholesale prices, adding on
VAT and overheads.

(d)       
THAT authority be delegated to the Director of Recreation to
decide fees for ICCS.070, ICCS 166, ICCS.171 and ICCS.283 up to the
maximum amounts set out in Appendix D1, for reasons set out in
paragraphs 2.58 to 2.59 of the report.

(e)       
THAT authority be delegated to the Chief Experience &
Information Officer to agree customisation options and costs
on the Council’s Here's to You reception packages on an
individual basis, as per paragraph 2.60 of the
report.
 

THAT the following be noted, in
paragraphs 2.64 to 2.72 the planned use of reserves, and in
paragraph 7.22 the adequacy of reserves as stated, and that no
major allocations of general balances are being considered at this
stage.

 
6.    
THAT the capital investment in children’s social care
provision, social housing and improvements to Acland Burghley
School Hall detailed in paragraphs 2.73 to 2.81 be agreed and that
authority be delegated to the Executive Director Corporate
Services, to take all relevant steps to implement the purchase of
properties for Children’s Social Care and Social Rented units
as they are identified be agreed.