| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| FP 11/044 |
Financial Arrangements with Parish Councils |
The joint report of the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Finance gave details of the proposed allocations to individual parish councils under the Scheme of Financial Arrangements with Parish Councils for the financial year 2012/13. Reference was made to the methodology agreed in liaison with the Parish Partnership Panel in 2008 for the budget to be increased by the same percentage as the cash increase received by the Borough Council in its revenue support grant settlement in the previous year. It was noted that for the 2011/12 budget the Council's revenue support grant had been cut by 16% and Annex 1 to the report set out details of the reduced allocations to individual parish councils under this methodology. Whilst Members were mindful of the impact that such a reduction might have on parish councils, it was noted that the Borough Council had suffered significant cuts to its own grant and would need to make savings in excess of £2 million as set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. In order to mitigate the impact and assist parish councils with one-off expenditure, it was proposed that a further exclusive bidding round for the Community Enhancement Fund be offered before the end of the financial year. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the usual methodology be adopted in calculating the allocations to parish councils under the Scheme of Financial Arrangements with Parish Councils for the year 2012/13; (2) parish councils be notified of their allocations as set out in Annex 1 to the report; and (3) a further exclusive bidding round for the Community Enhancement Fund be offered to parish councils before the end of the financial year, limited to £2,000 per application against capital/non-recurring expenditure. *Referred to Cabinet |