Agenda and decisions

The following announcement will be read by the Mayor:

“Welcome to this meeting of the Council which is being filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s website.

I would like to remind everyone present that as this meeting is being recorded, it will be capable of subsequent repeated viewing, with copies of the recording being made available for those that request it. By being present at this meeting it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in your image becoming part of the broadcast.

Members of the public in attendance at the meeting are also reminded of the notice posted at the entrance to the Council Chamber which indicates that being in attendance at the meeting consents to you being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and training purposes. The Data Protection legislation under which the Council retains broadcasts is also set out in the entrance notices.

Please could I also remind Members to activate their microphones before speaking, mute any tablet devices and switch mobile phones to silent. Members are also reminded to switch off their microphones when they have spoken.”

Members should declare any interests in advance of the meeting by completing the electronic declaration form which is available from Member Services. Email: member.services@broxbourne.gov.uk

(a)  To approve as a correct record the minutes of the special meeting of the Council held on 5 November 2024 and the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 5 November 2024 (attached); and

(b)  Matters arising

(a) To nominate the Mayor-elect for the next municipal year; and

(b) Mayoral announcements

The Mayor will invite nominations for the Mayor-elect, which will be followed by her announcements.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council or members of the Cabinet.

The Mayor will call on the Leader of the Council who will make his announcements.

To review the political balance on the Council and the allocation of seats on the committees (report attached).

The Mayor will call on the Leader of the Council.

To approve the Council’s calendar of meetings for 2025/26 (calendar attached).

The Mayor will call on the Leader of the Council.

To consider recommendations and referrals to the Council from the Cabinet and Council Committees (report attached).

The Mayor will call on the Leader of the Council who will move the recommendations and referrals from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 February 2025.

At this item the Council will be asked to set the council tax for 2025/26 as follows:

(i)             to approve the revenue budgets for 2025/26;

(ii)            to approve a revenue contribution to capital of £793,249;

(iii)           to approve the capital programme for 2025/26;

(iv)          to approve the Council Tax Reduction scheme;

(v)            to note the fees and charges approved by the Cabinet on 11 February 2025;

(vi)          to approve the 2025/26 Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy and Treasury Mangement Strategy;

to approve the Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 to 2027/28 as set out in the Capital Strategy;

(vii)         to authorise the Resources Service Director to make the allocation of funds to the salary budgets once the basis of pay awards has been finalised; and

(viii)        to set the rate of council tax for 2025/26 as set out in the attached report and based on a rate for a band D property at £163.24.

(report attached)

It is understood that the Cabinet Member for Finance will move the appropriate recommendations to the Council. Under Standing Order 12.4 there is no time limit on speaking for the mover and seconder of the main budget debate or the mover and seconder of the main amendment(s).

The Mayor will call on the Cabinet Member for Finance.

Notes

1.     Regulations require the recording of how members voted on any decision relating to the budget and council tax setting. A recorded vote on the council tax setting motion and any amendment(s) under the provisions of Standing Order 20.4(b) will, therefore be taken.

2.     Members are advised of the provisions of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which applies to members where;

(a)  they are present at a meeting of the Council, the Executive or a Committee and at the time of the meeting an amount of council tax is payable by them and has remained unpaid for at least two months, and

(b)  any budget or council tax calculation, or recommendation or decision which might affect the making of any such calculation, is the subject of consideration at the meeting. In these circumstances, any such members shall at the meeting and as soon practicable after its commencement disclose the fact that Section 106 applies to them and shall not vote on any question concerning the matter. It should be noted that such members are not debarred from speaking on these matters.