At the start of the debate Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) proposed, Councillor Kelly (Leader of the Opposition) 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) was suspended for this item in relation to the speeches by the Leader and the Leader of the Opposition.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, introduced the Revenue and Capital Budget and Proposed Council Tax Levels for 2021/22report as amended this was seconded by Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and Councillor Kelly (Leader of the Opposition) gave speeches on their perspectives regarding the Revenue and Capital Budget and Proposed Council Tax Levels for 2021/22.

Following debate, with contributions from Councillors Neil, Dann, Laing, Peter Smith, Haydon, Kate Taylor, Deacon, Stevens, Gosling, Nicholson, Derrick, Beer, Singh, Jordan, Drean, Lowry, Coker, James, Johnson, Darcy and Bridgeman.

Council agreed to -

1.     approve the proposed net revenue budget requirement for 2021/22 of £195.568m;

2.     approve an increase to the council tax levels for 2021/22 by one point nine nine percent (1.99%)

2a. approve an increase to the Adult Social Care precept for 2021/22 by three percent (3.00%) and;

2b. approve a contribution of £1.367m from reserves in order to balance the 2021/22 Council Budget.

3.     approve the capital budget of £778.671m for 2020 to 2025 (Appendix B6);

4.     note that the precept to the Council issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 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.     note that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority precept will be confirmed for 2021/22 at the meeting;

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

7.     approve the annual Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Financing Strategy 2021/22 (incorporating the authorised limits, operational boundaries and prudential indicators) as submitted (Appendices B8 and B7);

8.     note the response to the recommendations made by the Budget Scrutiny Select Committee and the Cabinet response to those recommendations (Appendix B9);

9.     approve the use of flexible capital receipts to fund The Way We Work Programme;

10.  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 (30)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Darcy, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Gosling, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Peter Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

Against (2)

Councillors Ball and Singh.

Abstain (23)

Councillors Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Johnson, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Samantha Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Pengelly, Rebecca Smith, Watkin, Wigens.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Cllr Riley, Lord Mayor – Cllr Mavin.