At the start of the debate Councillor Evans (Leader) proposed, Councillor Bowyer seconded and Council agreed that in accordance with Part B, Council Procedure Rule 14.6 of the Constitution, Rule of Debate 4.2 (in Appendix one) (which limits speeches to five minutes) is suspended for this item in relation to the speeches by the Leader and the Leader of the Opposition.

Councillor Evans (Leader) proposed and Councillor Lowry seconded an amendment to Recommendation 2 to the Revenue and Capital Budget 2020/21 report from ‘To consider council tax levels for 2020/21’ to read:

1.        To approve an increase to the council tax levels for 2020/21 by one point nine nine percent (1.99%)

2.        To approve an increase to the Adult Social Care precept for 2020/21 by two percent (2.00%)

Which are within the parameters recommended by budget scrutiny.

The result from this amendment is:

1.        An increase in overall revenue resources of £4.508m

2.        Final total resources 2020/21 of £193.677m

An amended Appendix 1 detailing the impact of the proposed 2020/21 council tax for each band of property.

Councillor Bowyer requested a 10 minute adjournment to consider the amendment.

Following a debate on the budget Council agreed the motion as amended -

1.        To approve the proposed net revenue budget requirement for 2020/21 of £193.677m;

2.        To consider council tax levels for 2020/21;

3.        To approve the capital budget of £892.911m for 2019/20 to 2023/24 (Appendix 3);

4.        To note that the Office of the Devon and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Police Commissioner precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area, will be confirmed at the meeting;

5.        To note that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority precepts will be confirmed for 2020/21 at the meeting;

6.        To note the Section 151 Officer’s statement on the Budget Robustness Statement as set out in section 2 of this report;

7.        To approve the annual Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Financing Strategy 2020/21 (incorporating the authorised limits, operational boundaries and prudential indicators) as submitted (Appendix 5);

8.        To note the Revenue and Capital Monitoring Report Quarter Three 2019/20 (Appendix 6);

9.        To note the response to the recommendations made by the Budget Scrutiny Select Committee and the Cabinet response to those recommendations (Appendix 7);

10.      If required approve the use of flexible capital receipts to fund The Way We Work Programme.

11.      To delegate responsibility for any technical accounting changes which may arise after the budget to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance.

For the motion (30) –

Cllr Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Cllr Buchan, Cllr Coker, Cllr Corvid, Cllr Dann, Cllr Derrick, Cllr Evans, Cllr Goslin, Cllr Haydon, Cllr Hendy, Cllr Laing, Cllr Lowry, Cllr Mavin, Cllr McDonald, Cllr Morris, Cllr Murphy, Cllr Neil, Cllr Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Cllr Penberthy, Cllr Rennie, Cllr Pete Smith, Cllr Stevens, Cllr Jon Taylor, Cllr Kate Taylor, Cllr Tuffin, Cllr Tuohy, Cllr Vincent, Cllr Wheeler and Cllr Winter.

Abstained (23)

Cllr Mrs Beer, Cllr Bowyer, Cllr Mrs Bowyer, Cllr Mrs Bridgeman, Cllr Carson, Cllr Churchill, Cllr Cook, Cllr Darcy, Cllr Deacon, Cllr Downie, Cllr Drean, Cllr James, Cllr Jordan, Cllr Mrs Johnson, Cllr Kelly, Councillor Sam Leaves, Cllr Loveridge, Cllr Nicholson, Cllr Mrs Pengelly, Cllr Singh, Cllr Rebecca Smith, Cllr Ms Watkin and Cllr Wigens.

Did not vote (1)

Lord Mayor

Apologies (2) –

Councillor Davey

Councillor Michael Leaves

Absent (1) –

Councillor Riley