Purpose

To recommend Full Council to
set the 2026/27 budget and council tax at its meeting in February
2026.
 
Report to also include the
proposed schedule of fees and charges to apply from 1 April
2026.

Content

 
A)
Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy
framework):
 

1)   
To approve the General Fund Base Budget 2026/27
and Medium-Term Financial Strategy
(MTFS) as set out in Appendix 1 to the
report.
 

2)   
To approve an increase in the Council Tax for Lewes
District Council of 2.99% resulting in a gross Band D charge
(including Special Expenses) of £242.02 for
2026/27.
 

3)   
To approve the revised General Fund and Housing
Revenue Account Capital Programme 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 3
to the report.
 

4)   
To approve the rates of Fees and Charges proposed
within Appendix 6 to the report to apply from 1 April 2026 and to
implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown
within Appendix 6 to the report as and when notified by
Government.
 

5)   
To approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts
Policy for 2025/26 and for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 7 to the
report.
 

6)   
To delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer to
account for any changes in the 2026/27 Base Budget to funding
allocations when Final Settlement figures are announced.
 

7)   
To note the Section 151 Officer’s comments as
outlined in the report.
 
B)
Resolved (Key decision):
 
On a related matter, that
Cabinet’s agrees to this Council in conjunction with
Eastbourne Borough Council, seeking further opportunities to
explore shared services with other East Sussex Councils as
appropriate, where this would be mutually beneficial. Such shared
services arrangements would be in keeping with the wider
aspirations of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).