Content

RECOMMENDED
TO CABINET: The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee commented
on the recommendations to Cabinet, which are:

(1)  
That Cabinet notes the Council’s expected funding for
2025/26.
 

(2)  
That Cabinet confirms (in line with the Medium-Term Financial
Strategy) that budget forecasts should be based on increasing
Council Tax by 2.99% (the maximum amount allowable without a local
referendum). Noting that Government have assumed Council Tax will
increase by the maximum allowed in calculating Core Spending
Power.

(3)  
That Cabinet notes that the Council may see real-term reductions in
its funding in future years.

(4)  
That, in the context of the above, Cabinet agree which proposals
(revenue and capital) should be taken forward as part of the
budget-setting process for 2025/26.
 
REASON FOR
REFERRAL: To ensure that all relevant factors are
considered in arriving at a proposed budget, Investment Strategy
and Council Tax level for 2025/26, to be considered by Full Council
on 27 February 2025.