Report of the Interim Section 151 Officer attached.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer outlined the procedure for how the budget would be considered at the meeting, including the Council Tax vote being included within the budget. Councillor Margaret Smith requested that vote on Council Tax be taken separately as this was an individual statutory item. Members agreed that the vote be taken separately.

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) presented the Cabinet’s 2020/21 Revenue Budget for the Council and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for the next four years. This was the financial plan for the next four years, which was aligned to and supported the Corporate Plan and in delivering the Council’s ambitions and services for residents.

Councillor David Howarth, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group commended the budget proposals and stated the Group’s support.

It was moved by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, seconded by Councillor Paul Foster that:

1.    Council approve the revenue budget for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix A.

2.    Council approve that 4-year Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2020/21 to 2023/24

3.    Council approve a Council Tax increase of 1.99%

4.    Council approve the Capital Strategy, Prudential Indicators and the Annual Investment Strategy as attached at Appendix D

5.    Council approve the Investment Property Strategy attached at Appendix E

6.    Council note the outcome of the budget consultation process

7.    To approve in principle a community loan to Hoole Village Hall for £150,000, subject to completion of a due diligence process. There will be a further report to Cabinet setting out the details and making recommendations once this process is concluded.

Councillor Damian Bretherton advised that although the opposition supported most of the budget proposals, they did not support the Capital Strategy or Investment Property Strategy.

Due to potential risk, it was suggested that the Investment Property Strategy be considered as a separate paper by the Governance Committee. It was also proposed that the Mackenzie Arms Scheme be revisited. The Conservative Group also identified seven Capital Schemes which they considered a priority and therefore proposed that they be added to the Capital Programme.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Damian Bretherton, seconded by Councillor Alan Ogilvie to:

Approve the proposals for seven new capital schemes, as set out in the amended report, totalling £585,000 to the 2020/21 capital programme.

In accordance with Rule 14.12 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Assets released the closure motion and proposed the vote on the amendment be taken. This was seconded by Councillor Paul Foster.

In accordance with Rule 16.5 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the Amended Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time, voted as follows:

FOR THE AMENDED MOTION:

Councillors Damian Bretherton, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Jim Marsh, Caroline Moon, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, David Suthers, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson, Barrie Yates.

AGAINST THE AMENDED MOTION:

Councillors Will Adams, Jackie Alty, Jane Bell, Renee Blow, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Mal Donoghue, Bill Evans, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harold Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth, Susan Jones, Chris Lomax, Keith Martin, Christine Melia, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Ian Watkinson, Carol Wooldridge.

The Mayor declared that the Amended Motion was lost by 18 votes for and 26 votes against, with no abstentions.

Councillor David Suthers left the meeting and did not vote on this item.

Following debate, in accordance with Rule 16.5 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the Substantive Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time voted as follows;

FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION:

Councillors Will Adams, Jackie Alty, Jane Bell, Renee Blow, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Mal Donoghue, Bill Evans, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harold Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth, Susan Jones, Chris Lomax, Keith Martin, Christine Melia, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Ian Watkinson, Carol Wooldridge

AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION:

Councillors Damian Bretherton, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Jim Marsh, Caroline Moon, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson, Barrie Yates

The Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 26 votes for and 17 votes against, with no abstentions.

Councillor David Suthers returned.