(1) That the following guidelines for the Council’s General Fund Budget in 2016/17 be recommended to the Council for adoption:
(a) the revised revenue estimates for 2015/16, which were anticipated to decrease the General Fund balance by £1.55million;
(b) confirmation of an increase in the target for the 2016/17 Continuing Services Budget from £13.0million to £13.25million (including growth items);
(c) an increase in the target for the 2016/17 District Development Fund net spend from £0.55million to £0.75million;
(d) no change in the District Council Tax for a Band ‘D’ property to keep the charge at £148.77;
(e) the estimated reduction in General Fund balances of £36,000 in 2016/17;
(f) the four-year Capital Programme for the period 2016/17 to 2019/20, and including the use of £3million of the General Fund balance in 2015/16;
(g) the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2015/16 to 2019/20; and
(h) the Council’s policy on General Fund Revenue Balances to remain that they be allowed to fall no lower than 25% of the Net Budget Requirement;
(2) That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2016/17, including the revised revenue estimates for 2015/16, be recommended to the Council for approval;
(3) That the Council be requested to approve the proposed rent reductions for 2016/17, to give an overall decrease of 1%; and
(4) That the Chief Financial Officer’s report to the Council on the robustness of the estimates for the purposes of the Council’s 2016/17 budgets and the adequacy of the reserves be noted.