Solihull Council

(a) confirmed the discount available for early payment of Council Tax of 1.5%;

(b) approved the adjusted passported budget of £201.772m as the core budget for 2003/04;

(c) in addition to the core budget, and having taken account of consultation on the budget process and the recommendation from the Corporate Director of Resources the Cabinet:-

 (i) approved additional direct service funding pressures totalling £0.343m to fund the following service pressures

    CCTV additional running costs £33,000

   Anti graffiti                                  £28,000

   Sports Development Officer       £20,000

   Recycling                                    £200,000

   Other Services passporting        £27,000

   Solihull Arts Complex                  £35,000

(ii) approved the establishment of a contingency fund of £1m in respect of emerging service pressures and legislation in respect of children at risk and supporting people.

(iii) applied working balances of £0.394m in 2003/04, an increase of £26,000 on the existing planned use.

(iv) recommended to Council the resulting General fund budget of £203, 089m and a Band D Council Tax of £996.98 (including Police and Fire) for 2003/04.

(v) recommended the phased use of uncommitted working balances to bring future years projected Council tax increases in line with the Government assumed increases.