Purpose

To provide the Executive Board with an update on the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan 2027/30 as the start of the process for developing the Council's Budget for 2027/28.

Decision

(1)  That the update to the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2027/30, as attached as Appendix A, be noted and that it be noted that a further update would be provided in October 2026.

(2)  That the key risks to the delivery of the budget in 2026/27 be noted and that it be noted that these would be subject to consideration as part of the regular Budget Monitoring reports submitted to the Executive Board.

(3)  That the timetable set out in the report for the development of the Council’s Budget for 2027/28 be noted.

(4)  That the outline Budget Strategy 2027/30, at paragraph 5.46, be agreed and that it be requested that Directors be asked to identify and bring forward savings options for 2027/28.

(5)  That it be agreed, in line with the agreed Fees and Charges Framework, with a view to maximising the amount of income received by the Council, that all Portfolios instigate a review of all fees and charges in their Portfolio Budgets and that as appropriate, these were approved no later than October 2026 (for implementation from January 2027 where it was possible to do so).

(6)  That it be agreed, subject to consideration by respective portfolio holders, that any budget proposals arising from the work above be considered by the Executive Board in due course (and would be subject to the proposal on the consultation below).

(7)  That subject to the work above and agreement with Councillors, it be agreed that some form of public and business-based consultation on the Council’s budget should take place over Autumn 2026 with a view to informing decisions on the Council’s budget for 2027/28.