Decision details

Summary

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder presented a report setting out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2022/23 to 2026/27 and Capital Strategy for 2022/23, which had been updated to reflect the 2022/23 budget and capital programme. He highlighted that the strategies had been revised in line with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA) treasury management code changes along with fulfilling five key legislative requirements.

The report set out the key functions of the Treasury Management and Capital Strategies which were:-

·        The timing and nature of income and expenditure within the budget needs to be understood and managed so that cash is available when required, which is a key function of the treasury management operation; and

·        The funding of the Council’s capital plans which provide a guide to the borrowing need of the Council.

The report made reference to the change in bank rate to 0.25% as well as rising inflation and better than expected unemployment data, the expectation was that the bank rate would rise at least two times in 2022/23.

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder felt that the strategy had been prudent and allowed the Council to deliver services to residents, he added that there had been little change to the strategy shown last year and that he supported the long-term view of certain expenditures.

Decision

RESOLVED – That the Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Strategies  and the authorised and operation borrowing limits within the report be noted and recommended to Council.

Reasons for Decision

This report sets out the framework and limits for managing the Councils finances enabling the Council’s priorities to be delivered. Setting a sound framework assists in the delivery of all corporate outcomes of:

·        Working across boundaries;

·        Delivering a balanced community;

·        A fairer South Lakeland; and

·        Addressing the climate emergency.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

No alternative options are proposed; the Treasury Management Strategy, in particular, is driven largely by legislation and external guidance and reflects the 2022/23 budget.