Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2013.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2013 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance, for recommendation to the Council.

The following reports will be considered further at the subsequent Council Meeting; Members are asked to ensure they bring them to both meetings.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report seeking the Executive’s authority to recommend to the subsequent Budget Council Meeting revenue and capital budget proposals for 2013/14 and beyond. It was noted in discussion that the Director of Finance had presented, in an annexe to the report, his assessment of the robustness of the budget estimates and adequacy of the General Reserve.

RESOLVED -

(1)             That it be recommended that the Council approve: -

·                    That the net Revenue Budget for 2013/14 is £158.947m, a decrease of £(11.063)m, or (6.5)%, when compared to an adjusted 2012/13 base budget of £170.010m;

·                    That the minimum level of General Reserve for 2013/14 be set at £6m, the same as in 2012/13 (Annex M to the report);

·                    That there is no increase in the proposed Council Tax level for Trafford related services in 2013/14 (the valuation bands are as detailed in Annex A to the report);

·                    That the fees and charges be set per the booklet available alongside this report on the Council’s website, including specifically:

·                    an increase in the weekly charge for Allotment fees in 2014/15 (12 month notice period is required);

·                    cease contributions to Mersey Valley and Bollin Valley Partnerships in 2014/15 (12 month notice period required);

the financial impact of which are all included in the budget proposals in the report;

·                    That the overall Capital Investment Programme level of £77.0m be approved (Annex L to the report).

·                    That the Prudential Borrowing Indicators be approved (see also Appendix 1, page 14, of the Treasury Management Strategy report presented as item 4b on this agenda).

(2)             That, in recommending the above to Council, the Executive also present:

·                    The objective assessment by the Director of Finance of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the General Reserve (Annex M to the report).

(3)             That, in relation to the Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14 – 2015/16, it be recommended that the Council approve the three key elements set out in the report:

·                    policy on debt strategy for 2013/14 to 2015/16 as set out in section 3 of the report,

·                    investment strategy for 2013/14 to 2015/16  as set out in section 5 of the report,

·                    Prudential Indicators and limits including the Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary as required by section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement and Investment criteria as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance introduced a report which summarised the key features of the Capital Programme monitoring for the period ending 31st December 2012.

RESOLVED -

(1)       That the amendments to the 2012/13 Capital Investment Programme be approved.

 (2)      That the monitoring report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report which informed Members of the current position regarding the monitoring of the revenue budget.

RESOLVED: That the latest forecast and planned actions be noted and agreed.