The Council meeting on 23 February 2023 saw the approval of the General Fund Revenue Budget, Housing Revenue Account, and Capital Programme for 2023/2024, following extensive debate and the rejection of a Labour amendment. Key decisions included setting the Council Tax for a Band D property at £1,760.46 and approving a significant savings programme.

Budget and Council Tax Approved

The Council approved the General Fund Revenue Budget, Housing Revenue Account, and Capital Programme for 2023/2024, with a Band D Council Tax set at £1,760.46. This represents a 4.99% increase on the Council's element of the Council Tax, bringing the total for a Band D property to £1,760.46 after the Greater London Authority's precept. The decision followed a lengthy debate and the defeat of a Labour amendment, which proposed alternative savings and spending priorities.

Councillor Martin Goddard, Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, presented the budget, highlighting the challenging economic climate driven by inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined a significant savings programme of £46 million over the Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) period, aimed at modernising service delivery, consolidating teams and premises, and increasing the use of early intervention measures. Councillor Goddard emphasised that key frontline services would be protected and manifesto promises to residents would be observed.

A Labour amendment, moved by Councillor Stuart Mathers, Leader of the Labour Group, was debated extensively. The amendment sought to introduce a range of alternative spending priorities, including increased investment in mental health support, maintaining bowls clubs, extending library opening hours, reducing parking permit fees, and a feasibility study into a carbon-neutral fleet. It also proposed changes to fees and charges and the merging of older people's Council Tax discount schemes. Councillor Mathers argued that the Conservative proposals were knee-jerk decisions that would harm residents, particularly during the cost of living crisis.

However, the amendment was opposed by Conservative councillors, including Councillor Ian Edwards, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property. They argued that the Labour amendment was callous, promoted bureaucracy and overstaffing, and would disproportionately affect older residents through proposed changes to the Council Tax discount scheme. Councillor Edwards stated, This amendment is another shopping list of a handful of ad hoc growth posts to be paid for largely, predominantly on the backs of the very oldest households in this borough, those over 70 years old.

Ultimately, the Labour amendment was defeated by 30 votes to 21 in a recorded vote. The main budget proposals were then approved by 30 votes to 21.

Members' Allowances and Meeting Schedule Approved

The Council also approved the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2023/24, which includes a basic allowance of £12,014 for all councillors. Special Responsibility Allowances remain unchanged, with the exception of the Chair of the Licensing Committee. The Head of Democratic Services was authorised to increase the basic allowance in line with any subsequent annual pay award for staff.

The programme of meetings for 2023/24 was also approved, with a minor amendment to the date of a Cabinet meeting. Additionally, updates to Chapter 7 of the Council's Constitution, clarifying the delegation of planning decisions to committees and officers, were agreed.

Mayor's Announcements

The Mayor, Councillor Becky Haggar OBE, noted that this was her last full Council meeting of her mayoral year. She reflected on her year, highlighting events such as a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker with other London Mayors, a Holocaust remembrance service, and her final fundraising event, an Irish Night on 10 March 2023. She thanked her family and fellow councillors for their support.

Urgent Decisions Noted

Two urgent decisions taken since the last Council meeting were noted: the expansion of Meadow High School, involving the award of pre-construction and professional services contracts, and the extension of Home Care and Outreach Contracts. These decisions were made under urgency procedures to ensure the continuation of essential services and to meet critical project timelines.