Purpose

The report outlines East Herts Council’s
strategic financial planning framework for the five-year period
from 2026/27 to 2030/31. It sets out the Council’s approach
to forecasting core resources, including business rates, central
government grants, and council tax, and models different scenarios
based on national policy developments and local economic
conditions.

Decision

a) Approved the Medium-Term Financial Plan
(MTFP) 2026–2031 as set out in Appendix A, along with the
financial assumptions and modelling used to forecast resources and
pressures over the MTFP period.
b) Noted the projected budget gap of
£531k in 2026/27 and the cumulative gap of £2.41
million through to 2030/31.
c) Noted the adequacy of General Fund balances
and the ongoing review of grants and reserves, with outcomes to be
reported as part of the 2026/27 budget report later in the
year.
d) Noted the financial planning framework and
timetable for future reporting and decision-making.