Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 3, 2026

Purpose:

Content: It is recommended that Cabinet recommends Council to:   RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND   General Fund Revenue Estimate   Set a Dacorum Borough Council General Fund Council Tax requirement of £14.738m and a provisional amount of £16.186m for the combined Borough Council and Parish Councils’ requirement for 2026/27. Approve a Band D Council Tax increase of £7.06 (2.99%) for Dacorum Borough Council. Approve the Council Tax base estimates for 2026/27, as shown in Appendix A1. Approve the continuation of the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27. Approve the forecast balances of Revenue Reserves as shown in Appendix J1, J2, and J3, and approve section 9 of this report as the updated Reserves Strategy. Note proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 have already been approved by cabinet/council. https://democracy.dacorum.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=157&MId=4139 Approve and adopt the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix K. Approve and adopt the Capital Strategy for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix L. Note that this budget paper, if approved by Council, will form part of the ongoing Medium-Term Financial Strategy.   Capital Programme   Approve the Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30, as detailed in Appendix H. Approve the financing proposals in Appendix H subject to an annual review of the financing options by the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial, during the preparation of the Statement of Accounts.   Housing Revenue Account (HRA)   Set dwelling rents according to DLUHC guidance, which provides for a rent increase of CPI plus 1% which equates to 4.8%. The average dwelling rent is proposed to be £150.77 per week in 2026/27 (based on 52 weeks). Approve the HRA budget for 2026/27 as shown in Appendix F.   Employer Terms and Conditions Note that the hourly rate of all Council employees continues to exceed the rate proposed by the rates of the Living Wage Foundation, for 2026/27. (To be reviewed annually thereafter).   Statement by Chief Finance Officer Approve the statement by the Chief Finance Officer regarding the robustness of the budget estimates and level of reserves as set out in Appendix M.