Purpose

Update to Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/29
and Development of General Fund Budget 2026/27

Content

RESOLVED
 
(1) 
That the key risks to the delivery of the budget in 2025/26 be
noted and that these be subject to consideration as part of the
regular Budget Monitoring reports submitted to the Executive
Board.
 
(2) 
That the uncertainty with the funding outlook for the Council, due
in part to the Governments proposed Local Government Finance
reforms be noted.
 
(3) 
That the update to the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/29, as
shown at Appendix A attached to the report, be noted and further
updates be provided in October 2025.
 
(4) 
That the scenario analysis shown at Appendices D and E attached to
the report, which modelled ’worse/better’ case
scenarios around the baseline Medium Term Financial Plan be noted
as part of the assessment of potential risks facing the
Council.
 
(5) 
That the timetable set out in the report for the development of the
Council’s Budget for 2026/27 be noted.
 
(6) 
That the Portfolios instigate a review of all fees and charges in
their Portfolio Budgets, in line with the agreed Fees and Charges
Framework with a view to maximising the amount of income received
by the Council and that, as appropriate, these be approved no later
than October 2025 (for implementation from January 2026 where
possible).
 
(7) 
That the outline Budget Strategy for 2026/29 set out at paragraph
5.46 in the report be agreed, and the Strategic Directors be
requested to identify and bring forward budget savings options for
2026/27.
 
(8) 
That, subject to consideration by respective Portfolio Holders, any
budget proposals arising from the work above be considered by the
Executive Board in due course (and subject to the proposal on
consultation in (9) below).
 
(9) 
That, subject to the work above and agreement with Councillors,
some form of public and business-based consultation on the budget
savings proposals should take place over Autumn 2025 with a view to
informing decisions on the Council’s budget for 2026/27.