The Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Task and Finish Group of Buckinghamshire Council met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss the council's draft budget and capital programme for the upcoming years. The meeting was scheduled to hear from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Steven Broadbent, and Cabinet Members responsible for Communities, Transport, and Resources, to understand their priorities and overarching strategies for the budget.

Leader Portfolio

Councillor Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, was scheduled to provide an introduction to the overall context for the proposed budget, the council's capital position, and the funding for the capital programme. He was also expected to outline his own portfolio budget. The inquiry group was scheduled to question the Leader on these matters.

Communities Portfolio

Councillor Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, was due to present their priorities and the overarching strategy for the budget. The inquiry group was scheduled to question the Cabinet Member on these proposals.

Transport Portfolio

Councillor Thomas Broom, Cabinet Member for Transport, was scheduled to outline their priorities and the overarching strategy for the budget. The inquiry group was scheduled to question the Cabinet Member on these proposals.

Resources Portfolio

Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, was expected to present their priorities and the overarching strategy for the budget. The inquiry group was scheduled to question the Cabinet Member on these proposals.

The meeting also had a scheduled date for its next meeting on 13 January 2026 at 10:00 am. The background papers for the meeting included links to the Cabinet Papers of 8 January 2026, which provided information on the council's draft budget, and the Council Tax Base report. Appendices to these papers included Budget Consultation Results, a Schedule of Fees and Charges, and an Equalities Impact Assessment.

The report pack provided detailed information on the Draft Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2028/29 and 2026/27 to 2029/30 respectively. It highlighted the challenging financial position due to demand growth, particularly in social care and SEND services, and the estimated impact of the Fair Funding Review, which is projected to result in a significant loss of funding for Buckinghamshire. The report outlined the council's track record on delivering savings and the further savings and income required to balance the budget.

Key financial principles for developing the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) included the requirement to deliver a robust and balanced budget, ensure financial sustainability, avoid over-ambitious savings, and not add unduly to the level of financial risk. The budget proposals were developed based on the budget agreed in February 2025, with growth and inflation assumptions reviewed using the latest evidence. Savings proposals were developed to balance the budget and were prioritised by Cabinet to minimise impact on resident-facing services.

The report also detailed the Capital Programme, including investments in transport, SEND places, and highways. It noted the proposal for delegation to Cabinet to add schemes to the capital programme funded through prudential borrowing, subject to a robust business case.

The Council Tax section indicated that a separate report would be presented as part of the final budget, containing the final information from other precepting authorities. The schedule of fees and charges was also reviewed, with most subject to a 5% increase.

The report identified key financial risks, including those associated with funding reforms, the Dedicated Schools Grant statutory override, market and economic impacts, and government policy changes. It also detailed the council's supply chain management and workforce strategy. The budget consultation results, conducted between August and October 2025, highlighted key themes such as reducing social care costs, council running costs, prioritising education, and more spend on roads and pavement maintenance.

The portfolio budgets provided a breakdown of the overall revenue budget and capital programme by portfolio, including detailed subjective analyses of expenses and income. The report also outlined the challenges, risks, and opportunities for each portfolio, as well as the capital programme expenditure and funding.

Finally, the appendices included the Budget Consultation Results, Proposed Fees and Charges, and the Equalities Impact Assessment, which aimed to assess potential impacts on different protected characteristics and equality groups. The initial assessment indicated that both positive and negative impacts were possible for various groups, and further detailed reassessment would occur as individual projects were developed.