Decision

Cabinet recommends
that full Council:-
 
(i) Approve the draft 2025/26 revenue budget
(Appendix B)

(ii) Approve a 2.99% increase in the Borough Council's part of the
Council Tax (Appendix C).

(iii) Approve the detailed recommendations in Appendix C, which
relate to the setting of Council Tax in accordance with Sections 31
to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992 (Appendix C – to be
provided/updated for full Council).

(iv) Approve the Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2027/28 (Appendix
E).

(v) Approve the proposed use of Reserves as detailed in Appendix J
and that the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the
Portfolio Holder for Finance, be authorised to transfer funds
between earmarked reserves as deemed appropriate throughout the
length of the medium term financial
planning period.
 
(vi) Approve that
the budget be amended as necessary to reflect the final grant
figures including Disabled Facility Grants - once received.
 
(vii) Approve the
existing Council Tax Support Scheme, it is recommended that the
council adopt the existing scheme updated with minor wording
amendments to reflect legislative changes and prescribed
requirements under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Prescribed
Requirements) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2023. It is also
recommended that authority be delegated to the Chief Finance
Officer in line with prior years practice, to make changes to
approved scheme during 2025/26 to reflect any requirements set by
Government to either the prescribed regulations for pension age or
for the working age scheme to ensure the scheme remains legally
consistent and up to date as the legislation changes.
 
(viii) Approval is
given to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in
consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to formulate and
implement in full, Government grant, discount or relief schemes so long as they are as a
minimum, revenue cost neutral to the Council.