Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 10, 2026

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting the 2026/27 Budget.   RESOLVED that Cabinet recommend to Council:   Capital Strategy and 2026/27 – 2030/31 Capital Programme:   That the 2026/27 Capital Strategy within Appendix 1, including the prudential indicators for the next 3 years associated with the proposed Capital Programme contained within Annex 1, be APPROVED. That the Capital Programme consisting of new and existing projects totalling £127,260k with a profiled spend forming a Deliverable Capital Programme for 2026/27 of £48,929k (Annexes 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 to Appendix 1) be APPROVED. (Note this is inclusive of forecast slippage as at Quarter 3 from the existing Capital Programme and will be finalised and formal approval sought as part of 2025/26 Outturn report). That the Indicative Capital Programme for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account covering the years 2027/28 to 2030/31 was NOTED.   Treasury Management Strategy:   The proposed Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27 set out within Appendix 2, including the relevant prudential indicators for the next 3 years and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement, be APPROVED. approved.   2026/27 Revenue Budget:   That the overall budgeted Net Direct Cost of Services within the General Fund of £16,239,090 for 2026/27 as detailed within Appendix 3 (p2 – 27) and inclusive of the proposed balancing adjustments included within Table 1 in paragraph 8.3 be APPROVED. That the Council Tax Requirement for the Council be set at £7,679,360 for 2026/27, calculated using a Council Tax of £246.29 for a Band D property, an increase of £7.17 or 2.99% from 2025/26, and a Tax Base of 31,180.16, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulation 1992, as amended, after the relevant adjustments in respect of the Council tax support scheme approved by Cabinet on 2 December 2025 be APPROVED. All of the transfers to and from Earmarked Reserves as detailed in Appendix 3 (p28) be APPROVED. The HRA budget for 2026/27 as detailed within Appendix 3 (p29 – 37), with total income of £16,593,445, less direct costs of £13,191,095, internal charges of £2,112,250 and capital financing of £1,290,200 inclusive of the proposed balancing adjustments included within Table 5 in paragraph 11.6 be APPROVED. The future MTFP forecast as outlined within Appendix 5a and 5b and that work on strategic planning for delivering a balanced budget for 2027/28 and beyond is commenced immediately be NOTED.   Cabinet APPROVED:   The proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 4 including the amendment highlighted in the introduction. That the HRA included a rent convergence charge from 2027/28 for the relevant council house properties currently below formula rent to a maximum permitted per week in accordance with the government mechanism. This convergence charge would be included as applicable within the annual rent increase from April 2027.   Note: * Report previously circulated.