Agenda item

Revenue Budget 2024/25 and Capital Programme 2024/25 – 2028/29 and setting the Council Tax for each category of dwelling in the Council’s Area for 2024/25

Report of the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive enclosed.

Minutes:

The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report setting the budget for 2024/25 and to set the different amounts of council tax for different parts of the area where special items applied (Parish precepts).

The report set out the budget summary of the financial year 2024/25 which contained details of revenue and capital requirements.

The Leader presented his budget speech outlining the key economic issues that had been taken into account in setting the budget. He was pleased that, in contrast to some Authorities, Ribble Valley Borough Council had; no debt, the lowest District Council Tax in Lancashire, the 28^th lowest Council Tax in England, and a healthy £17 million in reserves and balances. He reported that in the financial years to come, based on assumptions made on core funding from the government, the Council faced a budget deficit, and the Council would address a savings plan as recommended by the external auditors. He noted that the budget which was presented also kept the museum open under its existing opening times, invested a further £500k into the Castle bringing the total to nearly £1m, and included a five-year £13m capital programme which featured improvements to play areas, public toilets, car parks, and solar panels, adding that the Council remained the only authority to collect refuse weekly and not charge for green waste. He noted the robust processes in place in preparing the budget, beginning with the Budget Working Group. He reported that due to savings on the 2023/24 budget a further £1m would be set aside to fund one-off projects, named the Ribble Valley Golden Jubilee Fund. He welcomed proposals for the fund which would be considered using the same robust processes. The Leader expressed gratitude to all service Committees, the Council’s staff, Members of the Council, and the Borough’s residents.

Approval of the budget proposals contained in the report was proposed by Councillor S Atkinson and seconded by Councillor S Hore. Members debated the proposed budget.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor L Jameson, proposed an amendment to the budget from the Labour Group and Green and Progressive Liberal Group which included the following amendments to the revenue budget 2024/25:

· Freezing of all disabled and concession fees and charges at 2023-24 rates for 2024-25 funded by recovering the budget shortfall spread evenly across all non-disabled and non-concession fees and charges

· Increase the Council’s Partnership Officer post from part time to full time (or job share) for 3-year fixed term contract

· Creation of a new Carbon Reduction and Biodiversity Officer post for 3-year fixed term contract

· Provision of carbon literacy training and certification for Members, Heads of Service and Officers to equip them to move RVBC to net zero by 2030

He also proposed the following amendments to the capital budget 2024/25:

· Retention of the Salvation Army building in RVBC ownership and conversion of the building using an energy efficient retrofit into single person's accommodation including filming of the work to promote awareness of how older buildings can be upgraded to save energy and running costs

· Improvements to climate control in Council Offices to reduce energy costs, increase staff comfort and productivity

· Production of a guidance document and grant-bearing fund to assist with additional shop facade costs for businesses in RVBC Conservation areas

· A Ringfenced Enforcement Contingency Fund for Planning and Environmental Health teams

· Strategic Review of waste collection, recycling, street cleansing, dog fouling and litter/dog waste bin provision/emptying to look at ways to improve recycling rate, reduce carbon emissions, improve litter and dog fouling control while protecting existing jobs and keeping overall service cost neutral when adjusted for inflation

· A Fund for RVBC rental of empty premises for subsidised short-term community use e.g. mobile bank etc. - possible use of ACV's

· Clitheroe Castle grounds improvements

· Remedial works to landfill contamination to John Smith's Playing Fields in Longridge

· Donation to Olive Branch, Clitheroe

· Supply of two e-bikes to Ribble Valley Police Rural Task Force

· Unallocated capital reserve

The total cost of proposed amendments to the revenue and capital budget 2024/25 was £1.5m to be funded from the £1.5m underspend identified in the 2023/24 Revised Budget.

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Stewart Fletcher.

Members debated the amendment. A recorded vote was taken on the amendment.

Councillor	For	Against	Abstain	Apologies
J Alcock		X
S Atkinson		X
T Austin		X
J Atherton		X
K Barnsley	X
D Brocklehurst	X
S Bibby		X
D Birtwhistle		X
I Brown		X
S Brunskill		X
R Corney	X
S Cowman				X
L Edge – Dep Mayor		X
R Elms		X
S Farmer		X
S Fletcher	X
M French	X
M Graveston	X
G Hibbert				X
J Hill				X
M Hindle - Mayor		X
S Hirst		X
S Hore		X
K Horkin		X
L Jameson	X
G McCrum	X
C McFall		X
R Newmark		X
D O’Rourke		X
S O’Rourke		X
M Peplow	X
R Ray	X
M Robinson		X
J Rogerson				X
G Scott		X
K Spencer	X
L Street		X
N Stubbs	X
R Walsh		X
A Wilkins-Odudu	X
Total Votes Cast	For	Against	Abstain	Apologies
	13	23	0	4

The amendment was lost.

Members then returned to the substantive motion proposed by the Leader.

The Leader noted that the suggestions put forward in the amendment could be put forward for the Ribble Valley Jubilee Fund for consideration by the Budget Working Group, and onward approval by Policy and Finance Committee.

A recorded vote was taken on the substantive motion.

Councillor	For	Against	Abstain	Apologies
J Alcock	X
S Atkinson	X
T Austin	X
J Atherton	X
K Barnsley		X
D Brocklehurst		X
S Bibby	X
D Birtwhistle	X
I Brown	X
S Brunskill	X
R Corney		X
S Cowman				X
L Edge – Dep Mayor	X
R Elms	X
S Farmer	X
S Fletcher		X
M French		X
M Graveston			X
G Hibbert				X
J Hill				X
M Hindle - Mayor	X
S Hirst	X
S Hore	X
K Horkin	X
L Jameson		X
G McCrum		X
C McFall	X
R Newmark	X
D O’Rourke	X
S O’Rourke	X
M Peplow		X
R Ray		X
M Robinson	X
J Rogerson				X
G Scott	X
K Spencer		X
L Street	X
N Stubbs		X
R Walsh	X
A Wilkins-Odudu		X
Total Votes Cast	For	Against	Abstain	Apologies
	23	12	1	4

The motion was carried and it was

RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL:

1. Approve the following submitted by the Policy and Finance Committee:

a) The revised revenue estimates for 2023/24 and the revenue estimates

for 2024/25.

b) The revised capital programme for 2023/24 and the five-year capital

programme for 2024/25 to 2028/29.

2. Approve the prudential indicators, borrowing limits and MRP Policy Statement as set out in Annex 1 of the report.

3. Note that, under delegated powers in accordance with section 84 of the Local Government Act 2003, the Council has determined the following amounts for 2024/25 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended), as its council tax base for the year.

a) 25,321 being the amount of its council tax base for the whole district [item T in the formula in section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

Parish Area	Tax base
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley	487
Balderstone	201
Barrow	811
Bashall Eaves, Great Mitton & Little Mitton	207
Billington & Langho	2,214
Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest & Sawley	492
Bowland Forest (High)	75
Bowland Forest (Low)	82
Bowland with Leagram	82
Chatburn	403
Chipping	556
Clayton le Dale	520
Clitheroe	6,181
Dinckley	45
Downham	48
Dutton	103
Gisburn	244
Grindleton	358
Horton	52
Hothersall	77
Longridge	3,213
Mearley	8
Mellor	993
Newsholme	20
Newton	140
Osbaldeston	105
Paythorne	48
Pendleton	110
Ramsgreave	285
Read	585
Ribchester	675
Rimington & Middop	240
Sabden	550
Salesbury	192
Simonstone	498
Slaidburn & Easington	153
Thornley with Wheatley	174
Twiston	37
Waddington	453
West Bradford	384
Whalley	1,914
Wilpshire	1,086
Wiswell	177
Worston	43
	25,321

being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 6 of the regulations, as the amounts of its council tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

4. Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Parish precepts) is £4,322,041.

5. Calculate the following amounts for 2024/25, in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

a)	£34,372,794	Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.
b)	£29,423,127	Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.
c)	£4,949,667	Being the amount by which the aggregate at 8.5(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 8.5(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
d)	£195.48	Being the amount at 8.5(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (8.3(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts).
e)	£627,626	Being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.
f)	£170.69	Being the amount at 8.5(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 8.5(e) above by Item T (8.3(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates.

g)	Aggregate of the basic amount of council tax for Ribble Valley Borough Council and Parish precept for Band D properties:

Parts of the Council's area	£
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley	192.25
Balderstone	190.59
Barrow	205.64
Bashall Eaves, Great Mitton & Little Mitton	179.14
Billington & Langho	182.94
Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest & Sawley	211.34
Bowland Forest Higher	199.58
Bowland Forest Lower	187.76
Bowland with Leagram	181.67
Chatburn	200.32
Chipping	193.17
Clayton le Dale	178.38
Clitheroe	194.13
Dinckley	170.69
Downham	170.69
Dutton	180.40
Gisburn	199.38
Grindleton	197.11
Horton	170.69
Hothersall	188.87
Longridge	199.97
Mearley	170.69
Mellor	198.13
Newsholme	170.69
Newton	186.76
Osbaldeston	180.21
Paythorne	170.69
Pendleton	187.96
Ramsgreave	183.95
Read	195.04
Ribchester	191.17
Rimington & Middop	197.77
Sabden	201.32
Salesbury	199.57
Simonstone	187.56
Slaidburn & Easington	184.09
Thornley with Wheatley	179.31
Twiston	170.69
Waddington	221.25
West Bradford	193.78
Whalley	210.75
Wilpshire	191.41
Wiswell	222.48
Worston	170.69

Being the amount given by adding to the amount at 5(f) above to the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount contained in 3(b), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

h) Aggregate of the basic amount of council tax for Ribble Valley Borough Council and Parish precept for Band D properties by valuation band:

	VALUATION BANDS
	A £	B £	C £	D £	E £	F £	G £	H £
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley	128.16	149.53	170.88	192.25	234.97	277.69	320.41	384.50
Balderstone	127.06	148.24	169.41	190.59	232.94	275.29	317.65	381.18
Barrow	137.09	159.94	182.79	205.64	251.34	297.03	342.73	411.28
Bashall Eaves, Great Mitton & Little Mitton	119.42	139.33	159.23	179.14	218.95	258.76	298.56	358.28
Billington & Langho	121.96	142.29	162.61	182.94	223.59	264.24	304.90	365.88
Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest & Sawley	140.89	164.38	187.85	211.34	258.30	305.27	352.23	422.68
Bowland Forest Higher	133.05	155.23	177.40	199.58	243.93	288.28	332.63	399.16
Bowland Forest Lower	125.17	146.04	166.89	187.76	229.48	271.21	312.93	375.52
Bowland with Leagram	121.11	141.30	161.48	181.67	222.04	262.41	302.78	363.34
Chatburn	133.54	155.81	178.06	200.32	244.83	289.35	333.86	400.64
Chipping	128.78	150.24	171.70	193.17	236.10	279.02	321.95	386.34
Clayton le Dale	118.92	138.74	158.56	178.38	218.02	257.66	297.30	356.76
Clitheroe	129.42	150.99	172.56	194.13	237.27	280.41	323.55	388.26
Dinckley	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Downham	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Dutton	120.26	140.31	160.35	180.40	220.49	260.58	300.66	360.80
Gisburn	132.92	155.07	177.22	199.38	243.69	287.99	332.30	398.76
Grindleton	131.40	153.31	175.20	197.11	240.91	284.71	328.51	394.22
Horton	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Hothersall	125.91	146.90	167.88	188.87	230.84	272.81	314.78	377.74
Longridge	133.31	155.53	177.75	199.97	244.41	288.84	333.28	399.94
Mearley	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Mellor	132.08	154.10	176.11	198.13	242.16	286.19	330.21	396.26
Newsholme	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Newton	124.50	145.26	166.00	186.76	228.26	269.76	311.26	373.52
Osbaldeston	120.14	140.16	160.18	180.21	220.26	260.30	300.35	360.42
Paythorne	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Pendleton	125.30	146.19	167.07	187.96	229.73	271.50	313.26	375.92
Ramsgreave	122.63	143.07	163.51	183.95	224.83	265.70	306.58	367.90
Read	130.02	151.70	173.36	195.04	238.38	281.72	325.06	390.08
Ribchester	127.44	148.69	169.92	191.17	233.65	276.13	318.61	382.34
Rimington & Middop	131.84	153.82	175.79	197.77	241.72	285.67	329.61	395.54
Sabden	134.21	156.58	178.95	201.32	246.06	290.79	335.53	402.64
Salesbury	133.04	155.22	177.39	199.57	243.92	288.27	332.61	399.14
Simonstone	125.04	145.88	166.72	187.56	229.24	270.92	312.60	375.12
Slaidburn & Easington	122.72	143.18	163.63	184.09	225.00	265.91	306.81	368.18
Thornley with Wheatley	119.54	139.46	159.38	179.31	219.16	259.00	298.85	358.62
Twiston	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38
Waddington	147.50	172.08	196.66	221.25	270.42	319.58	368.75	442.50
West Bradford	129.18	150.72	172.24	193.78	236.84	279.90	322.96	387.56
Whalley	140.50	163.92	187.33	210.75	257.58	304.41	351.25	421.50
Wilpshire	127.60	148.88	170.14	191.41	233.94	276.48	319.01	382.82
Wiswell	148.32	173.04	197.76	222.48	271.92	321.36	370.80	444.96
Worston	113.79	132.76	151.72	170.69	208.62	246.55	284.48	341.38

being the amounts given by multiplying (as appropriate) the amounts at 5(f) or 5(g) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

6. Note, that for 2024/25 Lancashire County Council has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below.

Valuation Bands

1,102.19

1,285.89

1,469.59

1,653.29

2,020.69

2,388.09

2,755.48

3,306.58

7. Note, that for 2024/25 the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below.

Valuation Bands

175.60

204.87

234.13

263.40

321.93

380.47

439.00

526.80

8. Note, that for 2024/25 Lancashire Combined Fire Authority has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below.

Valuation Bands

56.49

65.90

75.32

84.73

103.56

122.39

141.22

169.46

9. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 5(h), 6, 7 and 8 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Act, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of council tax for 2024/25 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

	VALUATION BANDS
	A £	B £	C £	D £	E £	F £	G £	H £
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley	1,462.44	1,706.19	1,949.92	2,193.67	2,681.15	3,168.64	3,656.11	4,387.34
Balderstone	1,461.34	1,704.90	1,948.45	2,192.01	2,679.12	3,166.24	3,653.35	4,384.02
Barrow	1,471.37	1,716.60	1,961.83	2,207.06	2,697.52	3,187.98	3,678.43	4,414.12
Bashall Eaves, Great Mitton & Little Mitton	1,453.70	1,695.99	1,938.27	2,180.56	2,665.13	3,149.71	3,634.26	4,361.12
Billington & Langho	1,456.24	1,698.95	1,941.65	2,184.36	2,669.77	3,155.19	3,640.60	4,368.72
Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest & Sawley	1,475.17	1,721.04	1,966.89	2,212.76	2,704.48	3,196.22	3,687.93	4,425.52
Bowland Forest (High)	1,467.33	1,711.89	1,956.44	2,201.00	2,690.11	3,179.23	3,668.33	4,402.00
Bowland Forest (Low)	1,459.45	1,702.70	1,945.93	2,189.18	2,675.66	3,162.16	3,648.63	4,378.36
Bowland with Leagram	1,455.39	1,697.96	1,940.52	2,183.09	2,668.22	3,153.36	3,638.48	4,366.18
Chatburn	1,467.82	1,712.47	1,957.10	2,201.74	2,691.01	3,180.30	3,669.56	4,403.48
Chipping	1,463.06	1,706.90	1,950.74	2,194.59	2,682.28	3,169.97	3,657.65	4,389.18
Clayton le Dale	1,453.20	1,695.40	1,937.60	2,179.80	2,664.20	3,148.61	3,633.00	4,359.60
Clitheroe	1,463.70	1,707.65	1,951.60	2,195.55	2,683.45	3,171.36	3,659.25	4,391.10
Dinckley	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Downham	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Dutton	1,454.54	1,696.97	1,939.39	2,181.82	2,666.67	3,151.53	3,636.36	4,363.64
Gisburn	1,467.20	1,711.73	1,956.26	2,200.80	2,689.87	3,178.94	3,668.00	4,401.60
Grindleton	1,465.68	1,709.97	1,954.24	2,198.53	2,687.09	3,175.66	3,664.21	4,397.06
Horton	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Hothersall	1,460.19	1,703.56	1,946.92	2,190.29	2,677.02	3,163.76	3,650.48	4,380.58
Longridge	1,467.59	1,712.19	1,956.79	2,201.39	2,690.59	3,179.79	3,668.98	4,402.78
Mearley	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Mellor	1,466.36	1,710.76	1,955.15	2,199.55	2,688.34	3,177.14	3,665.91	4,399.10
Newsholme	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Newton	1,458.78	1,701.92	1,945.04	2,188.18	2,674.44	3,160.71	3,646.96	4,376.36
Osbaldeston	1,454.42	1,696.82	1,939.22	2,181.63	2,666.44	3,151.25	3,636.05	4,363.26
Paythorne	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Pendleton	1,459.58	1,702.85	1,946.11	2,189.38	2,675.91	3,162.45	3,648.96	4,378.76
Ramsgreave	1,456.91	1,699.73	1,942.55	2,185.37	2,671.01	3,156.65	3,642.28	4,370.74
Read	1,464.30	1,708.36	1,952.40	2,196.46	2,684.56	3,172.67	3,660.76	4,392.92
Ribchester	1,461.72	1,705.35	1,948.96	2,192.59	2,679.83	3,167.08	3,654.31	4,385.18
Rimington & Middop	1,466.12	1,710.48	1,954.83	2,199.19	2,687.90	3,176.62	3,665.31	4,398.38
Sabden	1,468.49	1,713.24	1,957.99	2,202.74	2,692.24	3,181.74	3,671.23	4,405.48
Salesbury	1,467.32	1,711.88	1,956.43	2,200.99	2,690.10	3,179.22	3,668.31	4,401.98
Simonstone	1,459.32	1,702.54	1,945.76	2,188.98	2,675.42	3,161.87	3,648.30	4,377.96
Slaidburn & Easington	1,457.00	1,699.84	1,942.67	2,185.51	2,671.18	3,156.86	3,642.51	4,371.02
Thornley with Wheatley	1,453.82	1,696.12	1,938.42	2,180.73	2,665.34	3,149.95	3,634.55	4,361.46
Twiston	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22
Waddington	1,481.78	1,728.74	1,975.70	2,222.67	2,716.60	3,210.53	3,704.45	4,445.34
West Bradford	1,463.46	1,707.38	1,951.28	2,195.20	2,683.02	3,170.85	3,658.66	4,390.40
Whalley	1,474.78	1,720.58	1,966.37	2,212.17	2,703.76	3,195.36	3,686.95	4,424.34
Wilpshire	1,461.88	1,705.54	1,949.18	2,192.83	2,680.12	3,167.43	3,654.71	4,385.66
Wiswell	1,482.60	1,729.70	1,976.80	2,223.90	2,718.10	3,212.31	3,706.50	4,447.80
Worston	1,448.07	1,689.42	1,930.76	2,172.11	2,654.80	3,137.50	3,620.18	4,344.22

Supporting documents:

fullcouncilbudrep24, item 727. PDF 452 KB