Decision

Cabinet recommends
that full Council:-

(i) Approve the draft 2026/27 revenue
budget (Appendix B)

(ii) Approve a 2.99% increase in the Borough Council's part of the
Council Tax (Appendix C – to be provided/updated for full
Council).

(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 2026/27 to 2028/29 (Appendix
E).

(v) Approve the proposed use of Reserves (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, adopting the
existing scheme allowing for any future minor wording amendments to
reflect legislative changes and prescribed requirements under the
Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Prescribed Requirements)
(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2023. With Delegated Authority be
given to the Chief Finance Officer in line with prior years
practice, to make changes to the approved scheme during
2026/27.

(viii) Approve the additional growth Items detailed in Appendix
K.

(ix) 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.

(x) Approve the updated Reserves Policy for 2026/27.