Decision Maker: Corporate Policy and Resources Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 17, 2026

Purpose:

Content: The Committee resolved to:   Agree that it had considered the Statutory Section 25 and Section 26 Report of the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) in Appendix J in determining:   A)   The proposed budget for 2026/27, B)   The medium-term financial plans for 2026/27 to 2028/29 and C)   The robustness of estimates and reserves projections; and   noted the level of earmarked reserves as at 31 March 2026 was £32.2m and available earmarked reserves forecast to be available were £27.1m as set out in Appendix F,   2. make a recommendation to Council to approve the following:   1. the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 including:   i)             The General Fund Budget Requirement of £19.318m for 2026/27, ii)            Growth and pressures of £1.252m for 2026/27 iii)           Proposed savings of £5.752m for 2026/27   2. An increase in the Council’s element of the Council Tax for a band D property by £6.64 per annum for 2026/27 (2.90%), giving a band D Council Tax of £235.50 per year, excluding the precepts from Surrey County Council and the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.   3. Note the following Council Tax increases and precepts as detailed in Appendix I:   a)    Surrey County Council had increased Council Tax for a Band D property to £1,938.42 per annum, a 4.99% increase on 2025/26, resulting in a precept of £80,014,295.   b)    The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey had increased Council Tax for a Band D property to £352.57 per annum, a £15 or 4.4% increase on 2025/26, resulting in a precept of £14,553.420.   c)    This resulted in an overall Band D Council Tax of £2,526.49 for Spelthorne residents, an increase of £113.71 (4.5%) per annum.   d)    The Spelthorne Borough Council element of the Council Tax was 9.3% of the total bill for Spelthorne residents   4.    The calculations for determining the Council Tax requirement for the year 2026/27 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out in the Council Tax Resolution in Appendix I,   5.    The Fees and Charges for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix H; and   6.    The continuation of the complete disregard of war pension/armed forces pension income from benefit calculations as set out in paragraph 2.22 of this report