Councillor Hebb introduced the report and stated that this was a budget for residents, and would benefit elderly residents, mental health provision, infrastructure, leisure provision, air quality, and other Council services. He stated that the Council provided both statutory and discretionary services for residents, and due to continued service review, the budget would be balanced for the next three years. He stated that Council would have a surplus of £4.1million in 2020/21, a surplus of £1.4million in 2021/22, and a small surplus in 2022/23. Councillor Hebb compared this to the budget in 2016/17 when services such as street cleaning, the environment, and PCSO’s could not be funded, and the Council were running a deficit. He stated that Thurrock were one of the lowest unitary authorities in the country in terms of council tax, but were still able to fund additional services from the General Fund such as new policing teams, anti-social behaviour enforcement, and mental health provision for schools. He highlighted that 97% of other council’s had been unable to raise council tax under inflation, and the proposed 1.49% council tax increase would be ring-fenced for areas such as social services, and environmental enforcement.

Councillor Hebb highlighted that the majority of councils experienced pressure regarding social care funding, but Thurrock had been able to continue to fund good quality services for elderly and vulnerable residents. He stated that the proposed 2% social care precept increase would go to services that needed it the most, such as an additional 5% funding for the Adults, Housing and Health directorate. He explained that Thurrock were also committed to working with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and had promised an additional £700,000 for new police officers, as well as the additional 20,000 police officers promised nationally by the Prime Minister. He felt that these new police officers would make town centres safer and green spaces more accessible for residents. He added that £600,000 funding was also being given to the Youth Offending team to reduce reoffending rates and deter crime; and £600,000 was being given to deter illegal car parking on green spaces. He added that £400,000 was being spent on air quality, such as by implementing a new tree planting strategy, new cycle ways, and new ‘switch-off’ engine zones. He felt that this would have a positive impact on resident’s health, as it would improve air quality and reduce the rates of COPD.

Councillor Hebb added that £500,000 was also being given to tackle mental health problems across the borough, by introducing an early intervention mental health service, which would intercept crises earlier. He mentioned that regeneration projects were also occurring across the borough, and improvements would be made to leisure and sports facilities, to ensure residents remained in the borough for their sport.

Councillor Hebb moved onto outline the capital plan, as good infrastructure was needed to ensure that residents could access services. He highlighted that a number of infrastructure projects were already underway, such as the Purfleet-on-Thames regeneration scheme, Grays underpass, Stanford-le-Hope interchange, new educational facilities, Aveley community hub regeneration, Civic Offices redevelopment, A13 widening scheme, regeneration for Tilbury Riverside Centre, and works to prevent northbound HGV access through Aveley. He added that work was also being undertaken to reduce the amount of rubbish that ended up in landfill, such as a new pilot scheme that had been rolled out to increase recycling in flats. Councillor Hebb also outlined proposals for new schemes in Coalhouse Fort, and thanked the work of the volunteers. He added that paving replacement schemes would also be undertaken in areas where footpaths were becoming loose.

The Leader highlighted that there had been no council tax increase last year, and this year the council tax was not being raised to its maximum level, but the council were still providing a surplus budget. He highlighted that some of the surplus money was being used to buy machinery to make the clean-up of graffiti more efficient, and felt that this would improve the look of Thurrock. He stated that these proposals would be going to Full Council for agreement in two weeks’ time.

Councillor Watkins thanked Councillor Hebb and the wider finance team for their hard work in preparing the budget, and felt that there was a positive financial outlook that supported vulnerable residents. He felt that although the decision to increase council tax was not an easy one, and would affect residents, the ring-fenced approach ensured that support would be available for the most vulnerable residents. He added that it was good to see the surplus being invested into strategies, such as the new tree planting strategy and air quality. He supported the capital projects outlined, particularly the new scheme for increasing recycling in flats, which had seen a successful pilot in 2019. The Leader added that £30million was also coming into the budget through investments, which helped ensure that council tax was not raised to its maximum level. He stated that the adult social care precept would be ring-fenced, which ensured a smoother process for the department to access the money and spend it on services. He added that the Police, Fire and Crime Commission was also raising its council tax precept, and although this was not the decision of Thurrock Council, it would ensure the police and fire services could continue their good work. Councillor Hebb summarised and stated that there had been significant service reform to ensure every service was fit for purpose.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Considered the comments from Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in Section 12 of the report.

2. Proposed a 2% council tax increase towards the cost of Adult Social Care.

3. Proposed a 1.49% council tax increase to meet the increasing costs and demands of all other services, and to move the council towards greater financial sustainability for the medium to longer term.

4. Noted the budget report set out through the report and appendices.

5. Recommended to Full Council the capital proposals set out in the report.

6. Considered and allocated the budgeted surplus for 2019/20 as set out in Section 3.

7. Endorsed the Thurrock 2020/21 Schools Funding Formula to be implemented as stated in Section 9, this being consistent with Cabinet’s decision made in December 2018.

8. Endorsed the Early Years Funding Formula for 2020/21, as shown in Appendix 6, and allowed the Schools Forum to consider that the rates to be implemented can be made permanent, following review of the January 2020 census data.

Reason for decision: as outlined in the report
This decision is subject to call-in