Purpose

Proposals for the Council's revenue budget and
council tax levels for 2024/25

Decision

To
agree for the reasons set out in this report and
appendices:

1.   
To increase the Hammersmith & Fulham element of
Council Tax by 2.99% as modelled by the government in its spending
power calculations for local government.
 

2.   
To apply the Adult Social Care precept levy of 2% as
modelled bythe government in its spending power calculations for
local government.
 

3.   
To approve a balanced budget for 2024/25 as set out
in the report, including the underlying principles and
assumptions.
 

4.   
To approve £10.7m of new investment on key services
for residents.

5.   
To approve fees and charges, as set out in Appendix E, including
freezing charges in adult social care, children’s services,
and General Fund housing.

6.   
To approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and to note the
budget projections to 2027/28 made by the Strategic Director of
Finance in consultation with the Strategic Leadership Team.
(Appendix B)

7.   
To note the statement of the Strategic
Director of Finance, under Section 25 of the Local Government Act
2003, regarding the adequacy of reserves and robustness of
estimates (paragraph 56).

8.   
To approve the reserves strategy and forecast as set out in
Appendix H.

9.   
To require all Directors to report on their projected financial
position compared to their revenue estimates in accordance with the
Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report timetable.

10. To authorise
Directors to implement their service spending plans for 2024/25 in
accordance with the recommendations within this report, the
council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, relevant
Schemes of Delegation and undertake any further consultation
required regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment.

11. Set the
council’s element of Council Tax for 2024/25 for each
category of dwelling, as outlined in the table below and in full in
Appendix A and calculated in accordance with Sections 31A to 49B of
the Localism Act 2011.

Category of
Dwelling

A

 

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Ratio

6/9
£

7/9
£

8/9
£

1
£

11/9
£

13/9
£

15/9
£

18/9
£

H&F

610.24

711.95

813.66

915.37

1,118.78

1,322.20

1,525.61

1,830.74

 

12. 
To note, based on the Mayor of London’s draft consolidated
budget, the element of Council Tax to be charged by the Greater
London Authority in accordance with Section 40 of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwellings
as shown in the table below.

Category of
Dwelling

A

 

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Ratio

6/9
£

7/9
£

8/9
£

1
£

11/9
£

13/9
£

15/9
£

18/9
£

b) GLA

314.27

366.64

419.02

471.40

576.16

680.91

785.67

942.80

 
13.        
That the overall Council Tax to be set at £1,386.77 per Band
D property as follows:

Category of
Dwelling

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Ratio

6/9
£

7/9
£

8/9
£

1
£

11/9
£

13/9
£

15/9
£

18/9
£

a) H&F

610.24

711.95

813.66

915.37

1,118.78

1,322.19

1,525.61

1,830.74

b) GLA 

314.27

366.64

419.02

471.40

576.16

680.91

785.67

942.80

c)
Total

924.51

1,078.59

1,232.68

1,386.77

1,694.94

2,003.10

2,311.28

2,773.54

 

14.        
To authorise the Strategic Director of Finance to collect and
recover National Non-Domestic Rate and Council Tax in accordance
with the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended), the Local
Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council’s Scheme of
Delegation.

15.        
To note the Council’s estimated position on the Collection
Fund (as set out in paragraph 51).

16.        
To note the performance on the management of arrears across the
Council on all debts due (as set out from paragraph 60).