Purpose

To seek recommendation to Council to approve the 2026-27 Budget and MTFP

Decision

RESOLVED
 

KEY DECISION 

That the Executive:

a)  Approved for consultation the 2026-27 Draft Revenue Budget, which includes:

i.                     an estimated net revenue budget of £872.4m (£441.8m including the Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A, noting that this is subject to further update and change following the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

ii.                   Band D Equivalent Council Tax of £1,918.23 for North Northamptonshire Council, representing an increase of 2.99% in the ‘core’ Council Tax and a further 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept.

iii.                 pressures of £47.0m, including adjustments for the reversal of one-off funding in 2026-27, and savings, efficiencies and income proposals of £21.3m as detailed in Appendix A.

iv.                the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant budget of £441.2m for 2026-27, pending the final settlement.

v.                  the draft planned use of reserves is set out in Appendix A of the report, noting the reserves will be reviewed again after the Finance Settlement and prior to the final budget proposals, to consider the risk applying at that time.

b)   For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):

i.                     Noted the provisional allocations of the funding for the Schools Block, and the Central School Services Block, and note that the High Needs Block and Early Years Block will be updated when the provisional allocations are announced by the DfE.

ii.                   Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer) and  Executive Director for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Efficiency and Executive Member for Children’s, Education and Families to determine the DSG 2026-27 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the early years funding formula in line with Department for Education guidance.

c) Approved for consultation the General Fund Capital Programme 2026-30 and HRA Capital Programme 2026-30. 

d)  Endorsed the budget consultation process as outlined at paragraphs 5.16 to 5.20 which commences following the approval of the recommendations in this report.

e) Noted that the funding allocations are estimates only at this stage and will not be confirmed until the publication of the final Local Government Finance Settlement in late Jan / early Feb.

f) Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Efficiency to amend the draft budget following the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

Reason for Recommendations: To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution and legislative requirements in setting the budget for North Northamptonshire Council from 2026-27.

Alternative Options Considered – This is the start of the formal budget consultation for the General Fund and any comments from the consultation, together with any changes from the Finance Settlement, will be considered as part of this process to inform the need for alternative options.