Purpose

To consider the
proposed budget including savings plans for 2026/27 and the
following years for consultation. 
 
To cover the General
Fund, HRA and Capital Programme

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1)   
That it be noted the proposed budget was balanced based on
assumptions around the potential impact of the Fair Funding Review
2.0 as outlined in the Medium Term
Financial Strategy (MTFS) in September. It was noted these
assumptions may be subject to change when the provisional local
government finance settlement was published by Government (expected
mid-December) and furthermore once the final settlement was
published. A balanced budget must be set no later than 10th March
2026.

2)   
That approval be given to a 5 week
consultation on the Proposed Budget for 2026/27 starting on 3
December 2025 and closing on 7 January 2026. This includes the
proposed 2.99% increase in core Council Tax and the 2% increase in
the Adult Social Care precept.

3)   
That the forecast spending and funding plans for the 2026-27 year
and indicatively the following 2 years (Appendix B) be noted;

4)   
That it be noted the Proposed Budget for 2026/27 presented in the
considered report was based on the approval and delivery of
£6.9m of new savings for 2026/27 as identified in the report
(Appendix D).

5)   
That the forecast levels of statutory and other Council reserves as
set out at Appendix C be noted;

6)   
That the proposed savings as set out in Appendix D be noted.
 
Capital
 

7)   
That the draft updated Capital Plan for 2025-33 for consultation as
part of the budget (Appendix E) be noted

8)   
That it be noted the proposed release of £57.7m uncommitted
budget across the multi-year capital plan (£1.3m 2025/26,
£56.4m 2026/27 onwards) to assist treasury management of the
capital financing budget

9)   
That the proposed addition of £35.1m budget towards a new
sport and leisure facility in North Kirklees (£0.1m
feasibility 2025/26, £35m construction budget 2028/29 –
2032/33) be noted.

10)That it be noted
that following changes to the operation of business rates pools set
out by Government, there would be no Leeds City Region business
rates pool in 2026/27.
 
Housing Revenue Account
 

11)That it be noted
that the proposed budget including rent and service charges
increases for the HRA which was considered as a separate report at
the meeting.

12)The Integrated
Impact assessments referred to in paragraph 3.5 be noted.