Purpose

This report seeks final confirmation of the
recommendations to be made to Council, on 20 February 2026, in respect of the
revenue budget, capital programme and council tax 2026/27. 

 

On 7 January 2026, the Executive reviewed the
Council’s overall finance strategy and considered proposals relating to the
capital and revenue budgets and the council tax for 2026/27. The report updates
the Council’s budgets to reflect any decisions taken and other known changes
since 7 January 2026, including the provisional local government finance
settlement.

 

The capital programme for the years 2025/26 to
2029/30 will be £32,743,100 which is no change from the January Executive
report figure.  There are sufficient
resources projected to be available to fund the programme.

 

The net revenue budget for 2026/27 will be
£16,151,300.  With core funding estimated
to be £5,439,731 and other income sources and use of reserves totalling
£1,836,900 this leaves the total amount due from the council taxpayers to be
£8,874,669.

 

This level of council tax for 2026/27 equates
to £197.14 per Band D property.  This
represents an increase of £5.72 from the council tax set for 2025/26 and is
within the 2.99% referendum threshold set by the Government.

 

Options for lower levels of council tax
increase are included in the report and discussed in the context of the current
level of reserves available.

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive approves and
recommends to the meeting of the Council to be held on 20 February 2026:

 

(a) 
the
capital programme and financing of £32,743,100;

 

(b) 
a
net revenue budget for 2026/27 of £16,151,300;

 

(c) 
a
council tax for Fareham Borough Council for 2026/27 of £197.14 per band D
property, which represents a £5.72 increase when compared to the current year
and is within referendum limits.