The Elmbridge Council cabinet met to discuss the 2026/27 budget strategy, approve advance funding for the Weybridge Business Improvement District (BID), and review performance monitoring for the first quarter of 2025/26. The cabinet noted a revised Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), agreed to have officers identify further savings, and approved additional funds for Hurst Pool and fly-tipping prevention.

Budget Strategy 2026/27

The cabinet reviewed the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and budget for 2026/27, noting a potential £5.1 million budget deficit between 2027 and 2031. The report consolidated and updated the council's financial strategy in preparation for the 2026/27 revenue and capital budgets.

The report took into account several factors:

• Inflation: While inflationary pressures had decreased from their peak, inflation remained above the government's target of 2% CPI¹, and was not expected to fall to the target until 2027.
• Fair Funding Review 2.0: The government had started consulting on a three-year settlement for local government, but the results of the consultation were unknown at the time of the report. Initial modelling suggested a potential reduction in funding of £226,000 compared to previous estimates.
• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): The MTFS was prepared with the understanding that Elmbridge would continue to exist over the period of the strategy, even though the government will announce its decision on LGR for Surrey in October 2025.

The cabinet agreed that officers should work with portfolio holders to identify further savings and additional income to address the medium-term budget gap. They also noted a provisional £1.1 million underspend for 2025/26.

The report also included an outline budget timetable, which the cabinet agreed to progress, subject to the finance settlement due later in the year.

Business Improvement Districts

The cabinet agreed to provide £41,500 in advance funding for the Weybridge Business Improvement District (BID), with repayment scheduled for September 2026 and February 2027. The Weybridge BID was scheduled to launch on 1 October 2025.

The cabinet also noted the timetable for the Esher BID ballot and the Walton BID re-ballot.

Additionally, the cabinet approved an initial budget of up to £50,000 from the business boost funding for the Esher wayfinding and cycle infrastructure project. Councillor Ashley Tilling, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environmental Services and Sustainability, reported that the new bus shelter in Esher had a living roof, the first of its kind in Elmbridge.

Performance Monitoring – Q1

The cabinet reviewed the performance monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025/26. The report showed that 97% of vision deliverables and 71% of performance indicators were on target.

Key achievements highlighted in the report included:

• The first meeting of the Elmbridge Climate Change Citizens' Panel.
• Approval of the Weybridge Business Improvement District.
• The number of new placements via the Rental Support Scheme exceeding the target.
• Customer satisfaction with council services exceeding the target.

Areas identified for improvement included:

• The green fleet vehicle replacement programme being behind target due to funding delays and long lead times for ordering vehicles.
• The number of valid complaints issued against the green spaces contractor.

The Leader noted that the number of households in all forms of temporary accommodation was currently 148, against a target of 160.

Revenue and Capital Budget Update – Quarter 1

The cabinet reviewed the revenue and capital budget position as of 30 June 2025, noting a favourable revenue variance of £790,585 compared to the profiled budget. The Capital Programme was £350,000 over the profiled budget.

The cabinet approved an additional £77,000 for works at Hurst Pool, to be funded from working balances. This was to cover potential loss of income to Places Leisure during the 18-week refurbishment programme.

The cabinet also approved a supplementary capital bid of £26,700 for fly-tipping prevention measures (earth bunds) in Woodstock Lane, to be funded from capital receipts.

The report noted that capital receipts of £1.2 million had been generated from the sale of Weybridge Hall in the first quarter.