Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026

Purpose: To report on the estimated outturn for Council Tax and Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), transactions on the Collection Fund in 2025-2026.

Content: 1.      That the estimated outturn for Council Tax in 2025-2026 is a cumulative deficit of approximately £2.5 million; this is as a result of a cumulative surplus of £851,000 brought forward from 2024-2025 and an estimated deficit in 2025-2026 totalling approximately £3.3 million.   2.      That the estimated outturn for Business Rates, also referred to as Non-Domestic Rates (NDR), in 2025-2026 is a cumulative surplus of approximately £2.1 million; this is as a result of a cumulative net deficit of £1.3 million brought forward from 2024-2025 and an estimated surplus in 2025-2026 totalling approximately £3.4 million.   3.      That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, to confirm any final changes to the forecast outturn reflecting any further information received ahead of the statutory deadline of 31 January 2026.   4.      That authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to confirm and arrange the final payments to the precepting authorities.   5.      That it be noted, the estimated Collection Fund outturn for the current financial year had to be forecast by January of that year and is based upon information available at a point in time. Therefore, any changes to the assumptions that occur in the remaining months of the financial year, would have an impact on actual Council Tax and Business Rates collected and consequentially the final outturn on the Collection Fund. Any resulting change to the surplus or deficit, would be recovered in future years.