Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 10, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet) I Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve the proposed Housing Revenue Account 2026/27 as set out in this report and refer it for approval by Full Council on 25th February 2026. In doing so I: 1.    Approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27 as set out in this report with a 4% increase to rents for 2026/27. Options considered and rejected were:None Assessment of Risk: The Council’s budget and financial position is a key corporate risk that has been highlighted as being high priority for monitoring and reporting on the Corporate Risk Register. The proposals in this report have sought to ensure adequate budget provision for 2026/27 with a clear reporting of risks with the budget strategy.  Legal Advice obtained: The Local Government Finance Act 1992 sets out what the Council has to base its budget calculations on and requires the Council to set a balanced budget for the following year by 11 March. Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 requires the Council to have regard to the advice of the Chief Finance Officer (S151 officer) as to the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves. Although the calculation of the council tax requirement and the formulation of plans and strategies for control of the Council’s borrowing, investments, capital expenditure and for determining the Council’s minimum reserve position are executive functions, the approval of such plans and strategies is a function reserved to full Council. The process to be followed to set the budget is therefore that the City Mayor and Cabinet recommend a draft budget to Council for approval. If the majority of Council does not approve the budget it will be referred back to the City Mayor. The City Mayor will consider the comments of Council and then present a further draft budget to Council, which can only be rejected by a two thirds majority of Council. The financial position must be closely monitored and members must satisfy themselves that sufficient mechanisms are in place to ensure the delivery of savings as well as to ensure that any new expenditure is contained within the available resources. In approving the budget, members must also have regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty in making their decision. Further information in respect of this duty is set out earlier in this report. As Monitoring Officer I have been consulted in the preparation of this report and am satisfied that the proposals set out in this report comply with the constitutional and legal requirements for the budget setting process. Financial Advice obtained: This report has been prepared by the council’s finance team in consultation with strategic directors and heads of service, and contains full financial implications around the budget, council tax and housing rent setting. Procurement Advice obtained: The procurement team will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders, service areas, suppliers and partner organisations to deliver value for money, service/budget efficiencies and improved outcomes, ensuring that contract costs are aligned to budgets. HR Advice obtained: Not applicable Climate Change Advice obtained: Salford is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2038 and “Responding to climate change” is a theme within the corporate plan. Salford is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including flooding and heat stress linked to extreme weather events. These events are forecast to become more frequent and intense due to ongoing climate change, with impacts likely to vary across the city based on geography and socio-economic factors. While Salford has made significant progress in reducing overall carbon emissions, it is important to note that a proportion of this reduction is attributable to national grid decarbonisation, driven by the reduction in coal usage and the increased share of renewable energy in the electricity mix. Within Salford, the majority of emissions originate from transport and domestic sources (23%), This means that when utilising the HRA priority should be given to responding to climate change both through mitigation measures – including energy efficiency and renewable energy measures and though adaptation measures to protect residents from climate related extreme weather including flood and extreme urban heat. Examples of climate ready housing include homes built by Dérive to Passivhaus standard or equivalent, offering high quality energy efficient homes with lower energy bills for residents. It should also be noted that Part of 1 of the Salford Local Plan (Salford Local Plan: Development Management Policies and Designations) was adopted in January 2023. An important strategic objective of the Local Plan is to minimise contributions to, and risks from climate change; key targets being: All new development to be net zero carbon by 2028, working towards carbon neutrality by 2038; and significantly increasing the capacity of renewable and low carbon energy production by. The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: Proposed Revenue Budget 2026/27 Contact Officer:  Rachel Rosewell         , Chief Finance Officer                    Telephone number: 07855066602           The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Overview and Scrutiny Board   Signed:Paul Dennett          Dated: 17th February 2026             City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only   This decision was published on 18.02.26.                                            This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 25.02.26 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.