Councillor David Smith

...to consult on the draft 2025-26 Housing Revenue Account budget, a 2.7% increase in rents, service charges, garage rents, and commuter surcharges, the draft management fee to Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, and the draft HRA Capital Programme for 2025-26 to 2029-30.

...to approve for consultation the 2025-26 Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan, including a net revenue budget of £933.8m, an average Band D Council Tax of £1,866.98, proposed fees and charges, a provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £506m, and draft capital programme additions, while also noting the estimated tax base, delegating authority to the Executive Director – Finance to agree on the final tax base and introduce new premiums on second homes, and delegating authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services to determine the DSG 2025-26 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula.

...to note the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, as well as new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since September 2024.