Decision details

RECOMMENDED:

Cabinet Recommends to Council:

Recommendation 1 It is recommended that Council note the revision to the Forecast for 2025/2026 as set out in Section 2 of the report.

Recommendation 2 It is recommend that Council delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to approve the contract for the appointment of a strategic partner to implement Local Government Reorganisation (Paragraph 4.1.2).

Recommendation 3 It is recommended that Council approves the amendments to the Fees and Charges Policy explained in paragraph 4.3.2 and proposed in Appendix 4b.

Recommendation 4 Council is recommended to approve the Policy on Earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balance and the maximum balances set for the reserves as noted in the report and at Appendix 8.

Recommendation 5 It is recommended that Council :

1) Approves the budget requirement of £24,475,309 for 2026/2027 and notes the projections for 2027/2028, 2028/2029 and 2029/2030.

2) Approves the Fees and Charges 2026/2027 detailed in Appendix 4a.

3) Approves the Pay Policy at Appendix 5

4) Approves the level of Special Expenses for the Town/Parish Councils as detailed in the report (Appendix 7).

5) Approves a Band D council tax of £157.44 for 2026/2027.

Recommendation 6 It is recommended that Council approves a minimum requirement of the General Fund balance for 2026/2027 of £1,245,250 (5% of estimated budget requirement).

Recommendation 7 Pursuant to Section 25 of the Local Government Act, Council is asked to have due regard to this statement at Section 9 of this report when considering and approving the budget and the level of council tax for 2026/2027.