Decision details

Decision:

Recommended to Council (8 February 2023):

(1)  To approve a 2.99% increase in Guildford’s Band D Council Tax Charge for 2023/24 with resultant increases to the other council tax bands.

(2)  To approve the General Fund Budget for 2023/24, as summarised in Appendix 2.

(3)  To continue the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme at the current levels.

(4)  To approve the General Fund Fees and Charges for 2023/24 proposed in Appendix 4.

(5)  To utilise the full amount of the New Homes Bonus received for 2023/24 for the purpose of contributing to identified one-off General Fund revenue cost pressures.

(6)  To agree that the Joint Management Team undertakes a comprehensive service challenge and present a revised budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan to Full Council in July 2023 as described in this report.

Reason(s):

To enable the Council to set the Budget and Council Tax for the 2023-24 financial year.  The General Fund Budget is a major decision for the Council and setting a balanced budget is a statutory requirement.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.