The Cabinet of Cardiff Council met on Thursday 26 February 2026, approving a 3.90% Council Tax increase for the 2026/27 financial year and recommending the draft Corporate Plan 2026-29 for Council approval. The meeting also saw the approval of a Green Growth Proposition to accelerate climate action.

Budget Report 2026/27

The Cabinet recommended that the Council approve the Revenue, Capital, and Housing Revenue Account budgets for 2026/27, which includes a 3.90% increase in Council Tax. This decision was made after considering the comments of the Section 151 Officer regarding the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves, as required by Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, and after reviewing responses to the budget consultation.

The report details the calculation of the Council Tax base for the year, including specific figures for areas with special items such as Lisvane, Pentyrch, Radyr, St. Fagans, Old St. Mellons, and Tongwynlais. The aggregate budget requirement for the year was calculated at £967,532,914. The basic amount of Council Tax for the year for dwellings in areas without special items was set at £1,603.72. The report also outlines the Council Tax for various valuation bands across different areas of the council, with the highest band (I) in Lisvane reaching £4,748.19.

In addition to setting the Council Tax, the Cabinet approved the Capital Strategy 2026/27, the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27, and the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 – 2030/31. Authority was delegated to the Section 151 Officer to manage movements between borrowing and long-term liabilities limits and to adjust the Capital Programme. The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2026/27 was also approved. The Cabinet also agreed to maintain the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Furthermore, changes to fees and charges were approved, with delegated authority given to amend or introduce new fees and charges throughout the year, subject to impact assessments and public consultation where necessary. The report also acknowledged the financial challenges facing the Council as outlined in the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Corporate Plan 2026-29

The Cabinet resolved to recommend the draft Corporate Plan 2026-29 to the Council for approval. This plan will be subject to any amendments authorised following the consideration of recommendations from Scrutiny Committees. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Huw Thomas, is authorised to make minor consequential amendments to the draft plan before it is presented to the Council on 5 March 2026. Further authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to make minor amendments after the Council's consideration and prior to the plan's publication by 1 April 2026.

One Planet Cardiff Annual Review 2025 and Green Growth Proposition

The Cabinet noted the progress made on carbon reduction under the One Planet Cardiff Strategy and approved a Green Growth Proposition. This proposition focuses on local renewable energy generation and domestic energy retrofit. Subject to budgetary approval, authority has been delegated to the Director of Planning, Transport and Environment to undertake procurement for a regulated supplier, conduct due diligence, and prepare business cases for energy projects to be offered as part of Local Climate Bonds. Additionally, engagement with the Welsh Government to develop an area-based domestic energy retrofit pilot scheme has been approved, with delegated authority to agree detailed proposals and enter into necessary agreements.

Budget Monitoring - Month 9 Report

The Cabinet noted the projected revenue financial outturn and the capital spend and projected position at Month 9 of the 2025/26 financial year. This report provided an analysis of the Council's financial monitoring position for both revenue and capital accounts over the first nine months of the financial year.