Cabinet Decisions

Cabinet considered a report providing a 2020-21 budget monitoring updated for General Fund revenue and capital, reflecting the latest forecasts in light of Covid-19.

Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  To approve the transfer of £200k of the Covid Shortfall Reserve to the Equalisation Reserve (see paragraph 3.4 of the cabinet report);

2.  To the updated General Fund capital programme as set out in Section 4 and Annex 1 to the report.

The strategy to set the 2020-21 budget. 

The strategy sets out the following for consideration: 

• Service directors exemplify options for savings from controllable budgets. 
• Management action is taken to address historic budgetary shortfalls, namely Property, Building Control, Land Charges, Coastal and Licensing. 
• The replenishment of reserves be delayed until 2022-23. 
• Allowance be provided for contractual inflation, but any other growth pressures be funded from within existing service budgets. 
• The increase in council tax is anticipated in the Equalisation Reserve in 2020-21 by allocation of £200k from the Covid Shortfall reserve.

Cabinet approved the 2021-22 Budget Strategy.

A petition was received in June 2020 with 147 valid signatures. The petition Prayer reads:

“We the undersigned petition the council to hold a thorough review of the facilities available around the Thanet beaches to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both visitors and residents and to invest in adequate infrastructure to meet the outcomes.”

Cabinet agreed:

To note the concerns raised and respond to confirm that toilet facilities serving Thanet beaches will be reviewed by officers and members over the winter season with the review and recommendations to be reported back to Cabinet in March 2021.