Decision Maker: Cabinet, Council Special Meeting

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 18, 2026

Purpose: To agree the Council Budget and Council Tax

Content: Recommended Council to agree:   1.       that the Council budget for 2026/27 as set out in the report be approved   2.       a 2.99% increase in the borough element of council tax in support of service delivery pressures   3.       an Adult Social Care precept of 2%   4.       the addition to the council tax in 2026/27 on the taxpayers in premises surrounding the garden in Gloucester Circus SE10 (Section 4 of the report)   5.       the overall council tax level and the relevant statutory calculations and resolutions (Section 4 and Appendix B of the report)   6.       the schools funding formula for use in 2026/27 as presented to Schools Forum on 14 January 2026 (Section 5 of the report)   Recommended Council to note:   7.       the overall additional cost of 146p per week at Band D (Section 4 of the report) of decisions 1.2 and 1.3.   8.       that the GLA precept for 2026/27 is due to increase by 4.1% (39p per week at Band D) (Section 4 of the report)   9.       the level of Dedicated Schools Grant for Education purposes and that the budget proposals for 2026/27 were agreed by the Schools Forum on 17 December 2025 (Section 5 of the report)   10.     the comments on financial standing, future risk and robustness of the budget process (Section 6 of the report)   11.     that it shall have regard to the s151 / Chief Finance Officer’s statement in Section 6, as required under s25(2) of the Local Government Act 2003, when making decisions in this report