Agenda item

Report of Andy Burnham, GM Mayor.

1.        That the proposalsto set an overallMayoralGeneral Preceptof£90.95(Band D)comprisingof£66.20 for functions previouslycoveredby theFireandRescue Authoritypreceptand£24.75forotherMayoralGeneralfunctions be noted.

2.       That it be noted that the proposal for the Mayoral General Precept for 2020/21 was part of a multi-year strategyfor settingtheMayoral preceptbaselinewhichwill be adjustedin future yearsasfurtherMayoral functionsare covered by the funding raised.

3.              That the following be noted:

i.        the overall budget proposed for the Fire and RescueService, noting that it was proposed to defer a number of operational changes in relation to Programme for Change

ii.       the use of the reserves to support the revenue and capital budgets, and the assessment by the GMCA Treasurer that the reserves as at March 2021 were adequate

iii.      the proposed Fire Service capital programme and proposals for funding

iv.      the medium term financial position for the Fire and Rescue Service covered by the Mayoral precept

4.       That the detailed budget proposals for other Mayoral Functions be noted.

5.       That the proposal to allow £0.5 million of Earnback grant to be used to support GMCA costs relating to bus related activity, including bus reform be agreed.

6.       That it be noted that if a decision was made to introduce bus franchising a further report would be submitted to GMCA to increase the statutory charge by £17.8 million for the year 2020/21.

7.       That the use of reserves, as set out in section 3 of the report, be noted.

8.      That members be requested tosubmitanywrittencommentstotheMayor inlinewith thelegal process andtimetabledescribedin this report.

9.      That it be notedthatat the GMCA meetingon 14 February, a revisedbudget would be submitted, consistentwiththe precept proposals, reflectingfinaltax baseandcollectionfund calculationsandthefinal RevenueSupport Grantsettlement.

10.   That it be noted that the GM Mayor was proposing to undertake a National lobby of Parliament on Tuesday 25 February 2020 at 1.00pm, in relation to the removal of cladding from high rise buildings and the financial burden being laid with residents,   inviting all GM Leaders and Metro Mayors to support the lobby.