Purpose

To consider the Council’s revenue estimates and Council Tax for 2026/27 and to consider updates on the 2026/27-2028/29 Local Government Finance Settlement and the Council’s medium-term financial position.

Decision

RESOLVED -

(i)                 THAT the decisions made regarding the recommendations in this report be exempted from call in (as agreed by the Chair of the Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee) on the grounds of urgency, and for the reasons set out in Paragraphs 2.1 to 2.4 of the report;

(ii)                THAT it be noted that the Council has not received any feedback following the consultation with Non-Domestic Ratepayers, and have due regard to the result of the Equality Impact Assessment in Appendix F.

(iii)              THAT the following be recommended to Council for approval:

(a)  The council tax requirement for the year 2026/27 of £165,438,070 (inclusive of the Garden Squares levies).

(b)  The calculations for determining the council tax requirement for the year 2026/27 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as set out in Appendix B.

(c)   To note that the 2026/27 Greater London Authority (GLA) precept set out in this report is £510.51 for Band D, as shown for all bands in Appendix B and is subject to Greater London Authority approval of the budget on 26 February 2026.

(d)  That the Council sets the amount of council tax for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix B and notes that this will mean a Camden element of council tax of £1,696.61 (4.99% increase) for Band D residents not in Garden Squares.

(e)  That the Council hereby determines that its basic amount of council tax for the financial year 2026/27 is not excessive, as outlined in Paragraph 2.84.

(f)     The budget summary as set out in Appendix C.

(g)  The budget investments included in Paragraphs 2.42 to 2.56.

(h)  Note the statutory Section 25 notice detailed in Paragraphs 7.1 to 7.34 summarising the assurance that the budget is set using sound assumptions and the level of reserves is deemed adequate.

(i)     The Garden Squares levy requirements received for each Garden Square Committee for 2026/27, as shown in Appendix B and Appendix C.

(iv)             THAT, in relation to fees and charges:

(a)  The new fees and charges and those increasing above 7% discussed in Paragraphs 2.92 to 2.93 and in Appendix D1 be agreed and the fees and charges listed in Appendix D2 be agreed and recommended to Council.

(b)  Authority be delegated to the relevant Executive Director to decide increases to existing fees and charges up to a maximum of 7%, following consultation with the relevant portfolio holders.

(c)   Authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to delete fees and charges where these are no longer in use, as outlined in Paragraph 2.94;

(v)               THAT the planned use of reserves in Paragraphs 2.95 to 2.102 and Table 6, and in Paragraph 7.34 the adequacy of reserves as stated, and that no major allocations of general balances are being considered at this stage, be noted;

(vi)             THAT the capital investments set out in Paragraphs 2.58 to 2.61, Paragraphs 2.103 to 2.107 and Table 7 be agreed;

(vii)           THAT given the speed at which officers need to act to respond to Temporary Accommodation acquisition and grant funding opportunities, the following delegations in relation to all property and grant programmes assisting in addressing Temporary Accommodation pressures be approved, subject to internal due diligence, as set out in Paragraphs 2.106 to 2.110:

(a)  Authority be delegated to the Executive Director Homes and Communities to agree Temporary Accommodation acquisitions of up to £11m per acquisition, subject to available budget provision.

(b)  Authority be delegated to the Director of Communities and Housing Support to agree Temporary Accommodation acquisitions of up to £5m per acquisition, subject to available budget provision.