The Stroud District Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 13 February 2025, is expected to cover a wide range of financial and strategic matters. Key discussions are anticipated to include the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26, the Council Plan for the next four years, and the setting of the Council Tax for the upcoming year. The meeting agenda also includes recommendations from committees regarding policies on senior pay, housing revenue accounts, and capital strategies.

Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2025/26

This report outlines the council's prudential indicators for 2025/26 to 2027/28 and details the treasury strategy for this period. It is intended to fulfil three key reports required by the Local Government Act 2003, covering prudential indicators, treasury management strategy, and investment strategy in accordance with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Additionally, it addresses the statutory duty to approve a minimum revenue provision (MRP) policy statement for 2025/26. The report includes detailed tables on capital expenditure, financing, the Capital Financing Requirement (CFR), and the council's borrowing need. It also outlines the investment policy, specifying priorities for security, liquidity, yield, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, alongside a creditworthiness policy and an ethical investment policy.

Recommendations from Strategy and Resources Committee

Several items are presented as recommendations from the Strategy and Resources Committee, which have been published for Council consideration pending the Committee's final decision. These include:

Fair Pay and Senior Pay Policy Statement 2024

This policy statement, required under the Localism Act 2011, outlines the council's approach to senior pay. It details the pay multiple between the highest and lowest paid employees, noting that the council's ratio is within government guidelines. The statement also provides information on the remuneration of individual senior officers, including the Chief Executive and Strategic Directors, outlining their salaries, market supplements, and any additional fees or allowances.

Council Plan Review

The draft Council Plan for 2025-2029 is presented, setting out the council's priorities and objectives for the next four years. The plan incorporates five key priorities: Environment, Climate and Nature; Communities and Wellbeing; Local Economy; Housing; and Working for our Communities. The report details achievements from the previous Council Plan (2021-2026) and outlines the development process, including extensive public consultation. The Delivery Plan, which details sub-actions, milestones, and target dates, is also presented.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025-26

This report details the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme for the period of 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. It explains that the scheme will largely mirror the existing criteria, continuing to offer up to 100% support for working-age claimants. The report notes that pensioner claimants are protected from changes, and the scheme aims to simplify administration, particularly in relation to Universal Credit. The document also outlines the legal framework and definitions related to the scheme, including applicable amounts, income, capital, evidence requirements, changes in circumstances, and overpayments.

Council Tax - Second Homes Premium and Empty Homes Premium

This report provides an update on the decision to introduce a Council Tax Premium on second homes from 01 April 2025 and to amend the premium for empty homes to apply after one year (previously two years) from 01 April 2025. It also details the mandatory exceptions prescribed by the government, outlining nine classes of dwellings excluded from these premiums. The report includes a breakdown of second homes by parish and estimates the additional Council Tax income that would be generated.

Capital Strategy

This report seeks approval for the Council's Capital Strategy. The strategy, revised in line with the CIPFA Prudential Code 2021, outlines the principles for the capital programme, including how schemes will be selected, approved, and monitored. It details the various sources of funding for capital projects, such as capital receipts, borrowing, grants, and revenue contributions, and explains the council's policy on new borrowing. The strategy also links capital investment to the delivery of strategic priorities, including Environment, Climate and Nature; Local Economy; Communities & Wellbeing; Housing; and Working for our Communities.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – Revised 2024/25 and Original 2025/26 and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 – 2028/29

This report presents the revised budget estimates for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2024/25 and the original estimates for 2025/26. It details proposed increases to dwelling rents, garage rents, and landlord service charges, all in line with national guidance. The report also outlines the HRA Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2028/29 and provides a summary of the HRA's financial position over the medium term, noting a significant improvement due to various local and national decisions, including changes to rent policies and Right to Buy discounts. Risks and uncertainties, such as inflation and legislative changes, are also discussed.

General Fund Budget 2025/26, Capital Programme and Medium-Term Financial Plan

This comprehensive report aims to present the council's financial position over the medium term and to set the budget requirement and Council Tax level for 2025/26. It includes estimates of major funding sources, adjustments to revenue budgets, the planned use of reserves, the Capital Programme, and a statement from the Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of estimates and adequacy of reserves. The report details the provisional local government financial settlement for 2025/26, including assumptions on Council Tax increases and business rates income. It also highlights the impact of national insurance changes and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding. The report notes the anticipated funding reforms and their potential impact on the council, as well as outlining various budget pressures and savings, including those related to Council Plan priorities.

Updates to the Constitution

This report presents proposed amendments to the council's Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Working Group. The proposed changes primarily focus on revising Section 6, the Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules, to align with the new Procurement Act 2023. These revisions aim to create a simpler, more flexible, and effective procurement process, with objectives including delivering value for money, maximising public benefit, and sharing information. Key changes include a reduction in tendering procedures, a duty to divide tenders into lots to encourage SMEs, and new mandatory publication requirements for procurement activity.

Changes to Committee and Outside Bodies Membership and Appointment of Environment Committee Vice Chair

Council is asked to note changes to the membership of the Community Services and Licensing and Strategy and Resources Committees. It is also requested to appoint a Vice Chair for the Environment Committee and to appoint a Lead and Substitute Member for the Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee. Nominations for these positions are to be reported or made at the meeting.