Purpose

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the
proposals for the 2025 to 2026 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025 to 2029 for West
Suffolk Council, prior to its approval by Council.  This report includes the Minimum Revenues
Provision (MRP) Policy and Prudential Indicators, and also the outcomes of the Council’s review
of its fees and charges.
 
The fees and charges have been reviewed in
accordance with the Council’s Fees and Charges Policy, which
has resulted in proposed increases to some. Where the proposed
increase is greater than five percent, this constitutes a Key
Decision. The Cabinet will consider the proposals as part of its
consideration of this report. 

Decision

(Note: This item constituted a Key Decision in
part where proposed increases in fees and charges contained in the
report were greater than five percent (Attachment D, Appendix 6a).
Other decisions emanating from the report would require final
approval by Council on 25 February 2025. This is reflected in this
Decisions Notice accordingly).
 
Recommended to Council (as part of the budget
setting process) (25 February 2025):
 
That:
1.       the revenue and
capital budget for 2025 to 2029, plus 2024 to 2025 capital projects
that subsequently require to be carried forward at the year-end,
attached at Attachment A and as detailed in Attachment D
(Appendices 1-6), Attachment E, and Attachment F to Report number:
CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.
 
2.       Having taken into
account the conclusions of the Chief Operating (S151)
Officer’s report on the adequacy of reserves and the
robustness of budget estimates (Attachment C) and the Medium Term
Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Attachment D), particularly the Scenario
Planning and Sensitivity Analysis (Attachment D, Appendix 5) and
all other information contained in Report number: CAB/WS/25/007,
the level of Council Tax for 2025 to 2026 be established at
£203.67 for an average band D property (the level of council
tax beyond April 2026 will be set in accordance with the annual
budget process for the relevant financial year).
 
3.       The Chief Operating
Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources,
be authorised to vire funds between
existing Earmarked Reserves (as set out at Attachment D, Appendix
3) as deemed appropriate throughout the medium
term financial planning period.
 
4.       Delegated authority
be given to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the
Portfolio Holder for Resources to formulate and implement in full,
Government grant, discount or relief schemes (examples include but
not limited to those set out in paragraphs 3.14-3.16 and 4.7-4.11
of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007), so long as they are as a minimum,
revenue cost neutral to the council.
 
5.       The statutory
exceptions to Long Term Empty and Second Homes premiums, set out in
paragraph 4.9 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be noted and the
discretionary exceptions set out in paragraph 4.10 be approved,
in order to align across the Anglia
Revenues Partnership.
 
6.       Approval be given to
collect the £70 civil fine from those residents that disclose
incorrect information regarding their circumstances around Council
Tax discounts, as detailed in paragraphs 4.12 to 4.15 of Report
number: CAB/WS/25/007.
 
7.       The in-house
provision for custodian and post room services from April 2025 (or
a date mutually agreed with the current outsourced provider Verse
Facilities Management) be supported, as set out in paragraph 2.21
of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007. 
 
8.       A structured budget
engagement exercise be carried out in late spring / early summer of
2025, to enable the budget setting for 2026-2027 to be shaped by
residents and other stakeholders, as set out in paragraphs 5.12 to
5.15 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007.
 
Resolved:
That:
9.       The fees and charges
price increases, as set out in Attachment D appendix 6a to Report
number: CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.
 
Recommended to Council (as part of the budget
setting process) (25 February 2025):
 
That:
10.     The Flexible
Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, as set out in Attachment F
to Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.