Councillor Rebecca Breese

...to ensure continued mail services, including invoices, the Cabinet authorised the Executive Director Place, Economy & Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to procure a new hybrid print and electronic solution for outgoing mail and allied services, including awarding the contract to the chosen provider.

...the Cabinet recommended to Council the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025-26, including a revenue budget of £67.4m, an average maximum rent increase of 2.7% for dwellings, a 2.7% increase in garage rents and commuter surcharges, a 2.7% average increase in tenant and leaseholder service charges, the HRA capital programme, a £35.6m management fee for NPH, a £6m working balance, delegated authority for financial transfers and capital programme amendments to the Executive Director of Finance, and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance to finalize and publish the HRA Business Plan 2025.

...to consider the report and recommendations from the Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee's review of foster carer support and provide a formal response at a later meeting.

...it noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since the approved budget position considered in December 2025.

...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.