Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 16, 2025

Purpose:

Content: AGREED: That cabinet noted the report and: i)                 noted the draft revenue budget for 2026/27 which shows an in-year deficit of £50.671m without Exceptional Financial Support being approved by government; ii)               noted that without Exceptional Financial Support (in the form of a capitalisation direction and/or council tax increase) it is inevitable that the Section 151 Officer will need to issue a section 114 notice; iii)             noted the Medium-Term Financial Plan scenarios set out on the main report and in detail at Appendix A; iv)             noted the draft capital programme set out in Appendix C; v)               noted the draft revenue budget savings and growth set out in Appendices D and E respectively; vi)             noted the equality impact assessment at Appendix F, with more detailed assessments to be provided in the final budget papers; vii)            approved the Council Tax base for the whole Borough area, for 2026/27 at 71,218.63 as detailed in Appendix G; viii)          delegated approval of the Council Tax base for parish areas for 2026/27, and the Borough and Parish tax bases for future years, to the Executive Director of Resources (section 151 officer); ix)             noted an estimated surplus on the Council Tax Collection Fund in 2025/26 of £6.243m of which the council’s share is £4.953m, and a deficit in respect of business rates of £10.044m of which the council’s share is £4.922m, as set out in Appendix G; and x)               agreed the proposal to commence public consultation on the budget in this report.