The Council of Bromley Council met on Monday 26 February 2024 to discuss and approve the 2024/25 Council Tax, Capital Strategy, Pay Award, Pay Policy Statement, and Members' Allowances Scheme. Key decisions included setting the Council Tax at a 4.99% increase and approving a 3% pay award for council staff.

2024/25 Council Tax

The Council approved the 2024/25 Council Tax resolution, which includes a 2.99% increase in Bromley's General Council Tax and a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care Precept. This results in a total Council Tax increase of 4.99% for Bromley residents, with an additional 8.58% increase from the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept, leading to an overall increase of 5.84% for a Band D property. The total Band D Council Tax will be £1,949.71.

The Council also approved the draft revenue budgets for 2024/25 and noted changes to the Local Government Settlement, including additional Services Grant funding and an increase in the Public Health Grant. Amendments proposed by Councillor Simon Jeal and Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross regarding changes to the revenue and capital budgets were both lost.

The Council resolved to approve the schools' budget of £116.453m and noted the final position on the GLA precept. The decision to set the Council Tax was carried with 36 votes in favour and 12 against, with 7 abstentions.

Capital Strategy 2024/25 to 2027/28 and Q3 Capital Programme Monitoring

The Council approved the Capital Strategy for 2024/25 to 2027/28, which includes an increase of £2,477k for new schemes to be added to the Capital Programme. This brings the total revised capital programme to £306,202k. Notable additions include £567k for the replacement of a footbridge in Kelsey Park, £1,000k for the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off, and £910k for Local Highways Maintenance funded by new monies from the Department for Transport. The Council also noted a re-phasing of £27.0m from 2023/24 into future years.

The report highlighted a projected capital financing shortfall from 2023/24 onwards, necessitating the use of reserves and potential external borrowing. Capital receipts are projected to be exhausted by the end of 2025/26.

Treasury Management - Annual Investment Strategy 2024/25 and Quarter 3 Performance 2023/24

The Council noted the Treasury Management performance report for the third quarter of 2023/24 and adopted the Treasury Management Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2024/25. This includes the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 to 2026/27 and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement. Investments as at 31 December 2023 totalled £370.1m, with no outstanding external borrowing. The strategy prioritises security and liquidity of investments, followed by yield. The Council will continue to use its external advisors, Link Group, for guidance on investment matters.

2024/25 Pay Award

The Council approved a 3% pay increase for council staff, excluding teachers, for 2024/25. This decision was made despite an amendment proposed by Councillor Josh King, which sought to increase pay to the London Living Wage and provide an additional £500 award for staff on grades BR4 to BR8, which was lost. The approved motion also includes the removal of equivalent spinal points 9-11 (affecting grade BR3) with assimilation to spinal point 12 (BR4), and a 3% increase to Merited Rewards, bringing the total to £412k. The Trade Union pay claim was rejected. Staff will receive the pay increase in time for the April pay.

Pay Policy Statement 2024/25

The Council approved the 2024/25 Pay Policy Statement. This statement outlines the Council's policies on the remuneration of its Chief Officers and lowest-paid employees, and the relationship between them. It confirms the Council's commitment to a localised pay framework, linking pay increases to satisfactory performance and maintaining a competitive pay structure to aid recruitment and retention. The statement also details the Council's approach to performance-related pay, bonuses, severance payments, and other benefits for Chief Officers.

Members Allowances Scheme 2024/25

The Council approved the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2024/25, which includes a 3% increase for all allowances, aligning with the proposed increase for council staff. The Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Allowances will also increase by 3%, to £16,946 and £4,157 respectively. This decision was carried with 36 votes in favour and 12 against, with 7 abstentions.

The Mayor's announcements and communications

The Mayor, Councillor Mike Botting, thanked Members for their attendance at recent events, including the Civic Carol Service, a Sunday Lunch for Ukraine, Holocaust Memorial Day, the Annual Mayor's Quiz, and a service marking the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He also reminded Members of forthcoming events, such as a Wine Tasting Evening and a Sunday Lunch at The Walnuts Restaurant in aid of the Mayor's Charities. The Mayor expressed his gratitude for the Members' support throughout his year.

The meeting concluded at 9.23 pm.