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Cabinet received a report
updating members on next year’s draft General Fund budget
including the Government finance settlement and the level of
savings required and achieved through the Making Stevenage Even
Better Balancing the Budget Programme.
 
Members were advised that none of
the savings proposed would result in any cuts to
services.  The proposed increase to
Council tax was 2.99% equating to £7.15 per year on a band D
rated property.
 
Members were also pleased to support a number of
growth bids including one related to the important graffiti removal
programme and the partnership with Junction 7 Creatives to produce
a programme of art around the Town, alongside a much needed
apprentice and graduate programme. 
 
It was RESOLVED
that:
 
 
 

1.   
The 2024/25 revised net expenditure on the General
Fund of £12,248,970 be approved as set out in
paragraph 4.8.1.

2.   
The draft General Fund Budget for 2025/26 of
£9,910,330 be proposed for consultation purposes, with
a contribution from balances of £77,949 and a Band D
Council Tax of £246.41, (assuming a 2.99% Council Tax
increase).

3.   
The updated position on the General Fund Medium Term
Financial Strategy (MTFS) as summarised in section 4.10 be
noted.

4.   
The minimum level of General Fund reserves of
£3,421,625, which is in line with the 2025/26 risk
assessment of balances, as shown at Appendix E to this report, be
approved.

5.   
The contingency sum of £500,000 within
which the Cabinet can approve supplementary estimates, be approved
for 2025/26, (reflecting the level of balances available above the
minimum amount).

6.   
The 2025/26 Balancing the Budget options as set out
in section 4.5 and Appendix A, totalling £275,907 and
£29,651 for the General Fund and HRA respectively, be
included into the Council’s budget setting processes for
consideration by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

7.   
The new food waste collection and legal fees and
charges as set out in paragraph 4.5.6 (and Appendix B) be
approved.

8.   
The use of Business Rate reserve to fund a Graduate
and Apprentice scheme as set out in section 4.6 be approved for
inclusion in the 2025/26 General Fund
(£202,760).

9.   
That a first call on underspends of
£150,000 (in total from the General Fund and HRA) be
approved to support the Graduate and Apprentice scheme as set out
in section 4.6.

10. That the growth bid for graffiti removal of £75,000
as set out in section 4.6 be approved.

11. That the pressures identified in sections 4.2 and 4.7 to this
report be noted.

12. That the Section 25 Statement on Robustness of Estimates and
Adequacy of Reserve as set out in Appendix F be
approved.

13. That the decisions taken on recommendations 2.2 – 2.11
above be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for
consideration in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework
rules in the Council’s Constitution.

14. That the Equalities Impact Assessment appended to this report
for the new fees and charges (Appendix C & D) be
noted.

15. That engagement to take place with key partners and other
stakeholders in order for their views to be considered as part of
the 2025/26 budget setting process be approved.