Decision Maker: Executive, Council

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 11, 2025

Purpose: To consider the Budget and make recommendations to Council as appropriate.

Content: The Executive RESOLVED to RECOMMEND that Council:   (i)            agree a 2.99% increase in Waverley’s Band D Council Tax Charge for 2025/26 with resultant increases to the other council tax bands;   (ii)           agree to continue the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme at the current levels;   (iii)          agree (a) to a general inflationary increase to Fees and Charges for 2025/26 except for car parking charges and some limited other exceptions as proposed in Annexe 4.1, (b) agree the increase to car parking charges as proposed in Annexe 4.2;   (iv)          approve a general inflationary increase of 2.5% to the weekly charge for all garages from 1 April 2025;    (v)           approve the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 as summarised in Annexe 2, incorporating the baseline net service cost variations detailed at Annexe 1 and Annexe 3;   (vi)          approve the General Fund Capital Programme as detailed in Annexe 5; and,   (vii)        approve the reserve movements as set out in Annexe 6 and to agree a delegation to the S151 Officer to agree draw down from the reserves if the use is in line with the approved purpose.   (viii)       approve that from 1 April 2025, the Council varies its determination of 12 February 2019 under Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, so that the long-term empty dwelling levy starts after a property has been empty and unfurnished for one year.   (ix)          Approve that, from 1 April 2026, the Council will charge a premium(levy) of 100% on periodically used dwellings as defined by section 11C of the Local Government Act 1992.