Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 2, 2026

Purpose: To set out the organisation's revenue budget incorporating decisions for Revenue Monitoring, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy to be considered by Strategy and Resources Committee in making recommendations for council to approve its budget

Content: The Committee for Strategy and Resources Committee noted the following:   1.1. The budget consultation process that was followed and feedback as outlined in Section 19 and Appendix 6.    1.2. That the budget consultation feedback and equality impact assessments have been taken into consideration by officers and have informed the budget proposals.    1.3. The categorisation of earmarked reserves and provisions as set out in section 16 of the main report.    1.4. The Section 25 Statement of the Section 151 Officer as set out in section 18.    For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)   1.5. That Bristol Schools Forum feedback on the 2026/27 DSG proposed Budget will follow to Full Council following the meeting on 21 January 2026.    1.6. Any further DSG mitigation proposals for commencement in 2026/27 are approved by Children and Young People Committee (subject to consultation where required).    For the Housing Revenue Account (HRA)  1.7. The Housing Revenue Account Revenue draft budget of £166 million as set out in section 12 and Appendix 17.     1.8. The key assumptions in the 30-year business plan and that the finance model is established within the agreed affordability principles summarised in Appendix 17.    The Committee for Strategy and Resources Committee delegated authority for the following (6 FOR, 2 ABSTAIN and 0 AGAINST):   1.1. To the Executive Director Resources (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee, following the 2026/27 Final Local Government Finance Settlement, to make any adjustments that may be required to the budget report in the interim period between Strategy and Resources Committee 2 February 2026 and Full Council 12 February 2026. Any such adjustments will then be reported to Full Council for noting.   1.2. To the Executive Director Resources (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee to make any necessary technical adjustments that may be required to the budget with transfers to and or from reserves as appropriate.    1.3. To Executive Director of Housing in consultation with Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee and s151 Officer to submit appropriate funding applications (including Homes England grants for development and any over the key decision threshold) to support the HRA budget and in particular the delivery of the HIP and Development Programme and if successful to:    1.3.1. accept funding and agree associated grant terms/conditions; and     1.3.2. utilise the funding for delivery of the projects set out in appendices HIP and Development Programme; and     1.3.3. where appropriate use HRA investment plan funds and or reserves to match fund projects to maximise funding opportunities.    1.4. To the Executive Director of Housing in consultation with Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee:    1.4.1. To approve the priority of the procurement projects set out in the HIP and take all steps required to select the appropriate procurement route and to procure and award the contracts in line with the council’s procurement rules and regulations. Such authority to include decisions on matters which exceed the key decision threshold within the envelopes outlined in this budget.    1.4.2. To make amendments to the current year’s HIP programme budget allocations (which may be above the key decision threshold) to meet operational need, providing the programme operates within its approved budget limit.    1.5. To the Executive Director of Housing in consultation with Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee to:    1.5.1. Approve the priority of the Development Programme projects set out in Sub-Appendix A3 and take all steps required to procure and award contracts (including goods, works and professional services).     1.5.2. During 2026/27 to deliver the Development Programme capital investment plans detailed in Sub-Appendix A3 (notwithstanding any individual project or contract may exceed the key decision threshold).    1.5.3. To make amendments to the current year’s Development Programme budget allocations (which may be above the key decision threshold) to meet operational need, providing the programme operates within its approved budget limit.     1.5.4. To determine the appropriate nature/mix of tenure appropriate for each scheme   1.5.5. to identify and allocate suitable sites and properties for the Development Programme, including both council property and acquiring additional land or properties. 1.5.5 To identify and allocate suitable sites and properties for the Development Programme, including both council property and acquiring additional land or properties.   The Committee for Strategy and Resources Committee recommended for onward consideration to Full Council (6 FOR, 2 ABSTAIN and 0 AGAINST):   3.1 The Bristol City Council levels of Council Tax increase by 4.99%; which includes 2% precept to support Adult Social Care, noting the precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and the Avon Fire Authority.     3.2 The council’s General Fund net revenue budget for the year 2026/27 as £634.1 million and expenditure allocations as set out in Appendix 1; subject to any budget amendments properly notified to and approved by the council in line with the Constitution.     3.3 To approve the Reserves Policy 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 13.     3.4 To approve the Capital Strategy 2026/27 – 2035/36 as set out in Appendix 2a.     3.5 The council’s capital budget and programme for the years 2026/27 – 2035/36, totalling £1,669.3 million for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Fund as set out in Appendix 2b.     3.6 The strategic Community Infrastructure Levy allocations in section 14 are approved.     3.7 The proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 in Appendix 4, incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the prudential indicators and limits.     3.8 To approve the strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts as set out in Appendix 5.    The Committee for Strategy and Resources Committee recommended for onward consideration to Full Council (6 FOR, 2 ABSTAIN and 0 AGAINST):   For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)  3.9 The gross distribution of the 2026/27 Dedicated Schools Grant of £583.2 million (£264.6m is received net after deductions, for application and onward administration of funds to schools and early years settings) as set out is section 9 and Appendix 16.    3.10 The Block budgets for 2026/27  - Schools Block £384.9 million   - Central School Services Block £2.7 million   - High Needs Block £102.5 million   - Early Years Block £93.1 million  as set out in Appendix 16 and including transfers between blocks and Growth Funds as set out or as to be agreed by Schools’ Forum.    The Committee for Strategy and Resources Committee recommended for onward consideration to Full Council (6 FOR, 2 ABSTAIN and 0 AGAINST):   For the Housing Revenue Account (HRA)   • A rent and service charge increase of 4.8% effective from April 2026, applicable to HRA dwellings (general needs accommodation, supported housing and temporary accommodation) and to approve the recalculated service charges and service charge statement based on actual costs for issue in September 2026    • The one-year revenue budget of £166 million for 2026/27 set out in Appendix 17     • The five-year capital programme 2026/27–2030/31 as detailed in Appendix 17    • The HIP and Development Programme set out in Sub-Appendices A2 and A3, subject to the following recommendations 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 above regarding delegated authority.