Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20^th January 2026 (attached).

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 20^th January 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 20^th January 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive apologies for absence.

There were none.

There were none.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None.

None.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

None.

None.

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

None.

None.

To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillor Kemp – all items.

Councillor Kemp – all items..

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

The Chair advised that the recommendation to Full Council that Cabinet made on 20^th January 2026 in relation to the Property Disposal Policy had been successfully called in and would be considered by the Corporate Performance Panel at an additional meeting on 9^th February 2026.

The Chair advised that the recommendation to Full Council that Cabinet made on 20^th January 2026 in relation to the Property Disposal Policy had been successfully called in and would be considered by the Corporate Performance Panel at an additional meeting on 9^th February 2026.

A copy of the Forward Decisions List is attached

RESOLVED: The Forward Decisions List was noted.

RESOLVED: The Forward Decisions List was noted.

To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda. 

Recommendations from the Joint Panel Meeting – 28^th January 2026

To follow.

Cabinet was informed that the Joint Panel had considered all of the Agenda items being considered today at Cabinet and supported all of the Cabinet Recommendations.

Cabinet was informed that the Joint Panel had considered all of the Agenda items being considered today at Cabinet and supported all of the Cabinet Recommendations.

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.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Cabinet noted that the Joint Panel had considered this item and supported the Cabinet recommendations.

Councillor Morley, as Portfolio Holder presented the report.  Councillor Morley highlighted a request from the Labour Group regarding the Bulky Household Waste Service and explained that this would be investigated.  The Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer explained that the Labour Group Leader had been made aware of the process for submitting an amendment to the budget through to Full Council.

Councillor Morley explained that an options paper on Brown Bin collections via direct debits was being prepared in response to a request.

Attention was also drawn to the Car Parking charges which would be further reviewed as part of the Car Parking Strategy.

With regard to pensions, Cabinet was provided with the current position in that contributions had reduced, as they were revalued every three years and previously the Council had paid up front to receive a discount.

Councillor Morley and the Deputy Chief Executive provided Cabinet with an update on the Internal Drainage Board levies explaining that following the provisional grant offer from the Fair Funding Review and the ongoing lobbying and work being carried out with the MHCLG and Defra Review.

Councillor Beales noted that the Council meets with the Internal Drainage Boards to discuss their proposed precepts to inform Council budgets, but that this was merely useful courtesy and information sharing and that it would be for the Internal Drainage Board to set their budgets, and stressed that Councillors who sat on Boards would be part of that decision making process.

Councillor Morley explained that he would be contacting the Councillors who sat on Internal Drainage Boards about the settlement and budget setting.

Councillor Beales asked about if there was a risk on core spending with regard to renewable energy and it was confirmed that there was an ongoing Government consultation on this matter.  Councillor Morley stated that the current budget assumed no return on renewable energy.

Cabinets attention was drawn to an error in the report at page 48 relating to draw downs and that this would be corrected prior to submission to Full Council.

The Deputy Chief Executive asked Cabinet to note that once the Final settlement had been received the budget papers would be updated in readiness for presentation to Full Council.

Councillor Kemp addressed Cabinet under Standing Order 34 and thanked those involved for achieving a balanced budget.  She asked for assurance that there would be not cuts to services for residents.

Councillor Morley advised that there were no cuts to services for residents and highlighted the Council’s efficiencies and savings programme and future challenges.

Councillor Morley referred to page 33 of the report which showed the percentage increase in council tax and the impact of not increasing council tax for a number of years.  It also highlighted the impact of Internal Drainage Board costs.

The Assistant Director explained that many consultations had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB120

RECOMMENDED:

It is recommended that:

1) Cabinet recommends to Council the amendments to capital schemes and resources for the 2025-2030 capital programme as detailed in the report.

2) Cabinet recommends to Council that new capital bids as set out in appendix 3 and the exempt report, are approved to be included in the capital programme 2025-2030 as detailed.

REASON FOR DECISION: To report amendments, rephasing and resources to the 2025-2030 Capital Programme.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Cabinet noted that the Joint Panel had considered this item and supported the Cabinet recommendations.  Cabinet considered the comments made by the Joint Panel in regards to the increase in miscellaneous grants.

Councillor Morley presented the report as included in the Agenda, highlighting the tiers of projects and the exempt element of the report, which Cabinet would discuss later on in the meeting.

Councillor Beales referred to the comments made by the Joint Panel with regard to table 7 of the report and the increase in miscellaneous grants.  The Assistant Director clarified that these related to the Guildhall project and included the confirmed English Heritage Grant and the Plan for Neighbourhoods Grant, which was currently awaiting MHCLG sign off.

The Assistant Director agreed to provide narrative in the report in relation to the miscellaneous grants.

Councillor Lintern requested that in future, information be provided in the report to state that further detail on the content of table 8 was available in the appendices.

Councillor Kemp addressed Cabinet under Standing Order 34 and sought reassurance that there would be provision for capital improvements to the Ferry.  Councillor de Whalley referred Councillor Kemp to his response to the public question asked at Full Council on 29^th January 2026 and that once the consultant’s report had been received due process would be followed.

RECOMMENDED:

It is recommended that:

1) Cabinet recommends to Council the amendments to capital schemes and resources for the 2025-2030 capital programme as detailed in the report.

2) Cabinet recommends to Council that new capital bids as set out in appendix 3 and the exempt report, are approved to be included in the capital programme 2025-2030 as detailed.

REASON FOR DECISION: To report amendments, rephasing and resources to the 2025-2030 Capital Programme.

RECOMMENDED:

Cabinet is asked to recommend that Council approve:

· The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/2027, including treasury indicators for 2025-2030.

· The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2026/2027

· The Investment Strategy 2026/2027

REASON FOR DECISION: The Council must have approved a Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/2027

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Cabinet noted that the Joint Panel had considered this item and supported the Cabinet recommendations.

The Assistant Director explained that this report followed the CIPHA regulations on reporting requirements and was a mandatory requirement.  Cabinet were reminded that the Audit Committee received quarterly monitoring reports on Treasury Management.

The Assistant Director highlighted the overall position in relation to borrowing, boundaries and authorised limits. 

The Deputy Chief Executive explained that the report also included a flavour of the economy and markets, including forecasts advised by the Treasury.

Cabinet noted the operational parameters contained within the report and that a further report would be presented to Cabinet and Council if the situation changed throughout the year.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley relating to Public Work Board loans, it was explained that the rates did not follow the Bank of England Base Rate and were based on demand.

Councillor Beales informed Cabinet that the loan financing of the Housing Companies may require this to be reviewed during the year and asked officers to model scenarios post budget agreement.

RECOMMENDED:

Cabinet is asked to recommend that Council approve:

· The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/2027, including treasury indicators for 2025-2030.

· The Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2026/2027

· The Investment Strategy 2026/2027

REASON FOR DECISION: The Council must have approved a Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/2027

RECOMMENDED:

Recommendation 1) that Cabinet approved the Capital Strategy 2026/2027 as attached to this report for onward approval by Full Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: Not to approve these policies would contravene the requirements of both legislation and good practice.  In addition, the external auditors may comment in their report to those charged with governance (ISA260).

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Councillor Morley presented the report as included in the Agenda, highlighting how the Council invested to meet the Corporate Business Plan.  Councillor Morley explained that the Asset Management Plan linked to the Corporate Strategy.

Councillor Beales referred to the Housing Companies and the importance of the provision to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping.

Councillor Ring referred to the Asset Management Plan and the work that was being carried out to identify and assess assets and determine the value of the portfolio.

RECOMMENDED:

Recommendation 1) that Cabinet approved the Capital Strategy 2026/2027 as attached to this report for onward approval by Full Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: Not to approve these policies would contravene the requirements of both legislation and good practice.  In addition, the external auditors may comment in their report to those charged with governance (ISA260).

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the items below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Cabinet discussed the exempt element of the report.

Cabinet discussed the exempt element of the report.

Cabinet discussed the exempt element of the report.

Cabinet discussed the exempt element of the report.