Agenda item

(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

Please note that updated versions of reports are attached to this Agenda for Council approval.

Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting are also attached.

To consider the following reports and recommendations to Council:

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Councillor Morley, seconded by Councillor Beales proposed the following Cabinet recommendations be taken en bloc and this was agreed:

CAB121:         Capital Programme and Resources

CAB122:         Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/2027

CAB123:         Capital Strategy 2026/2027

Councillor Morley presented the Capital Strategy, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Policies highlighting the statutory requirements, project tiers, funding sources and debt management.  He explained that the Capital Strategy was a high-level document which linked the corporate strategy, capital expenditure and treasury management.  Councillor Morley provided detail of the long-term loan arrangements and work ongoing to manage these arrangements.

Councillor Beales, in seconding the recommendations, reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Long spoke in support of the reports as presented, noting that these had not changed since they had been subject to scrutiny.

Councillor Blunt commented that he would be supporting the recommendations.

Councillor Heneghan commented that she would be supporting the recommendations.

Councillor Joyce commented that money had been found to support the Capital Programme during these difficult times and made reference to losses that the Council was facing in housing delivery.

Councillor Beales called for a point of order on the comment made by Councillor Joyce in that it was not accurate.

Councillor Dark echoed the comments made by Councillor Long and indicated he would be supporting the recommendations as they had been subjected to scrutiny.

Councillor Dark called for a point of order in that points of order should only be used in relation to clarification on the Constitution.

Councillor Moriarty called a point of order in that speeches should be relevant to the current item being considered.

Councillor Kemp indicated her support for the recommendations, however raised concern that the Ferry was not included.

Councillor Beales referred to Council Procedure rule 15.1 in that a point of personal explanation could be used to remedy misunderstandings and felt his interjection was reasonable.

Councillor Beales commented that in relation to the Capital Programme and Major Housing Scheme it was important that facts were accurate. He acknowledged that there was a projected loss on Florence Fields.

Councillor Morley, in summing up referred to the non-financial benefits of the Major Housing Schemes, including social value and other benefits to residents.

RESOLVED: The budget related recommendations from Cabinet held on 3 February 2026 were agreed by Full Council as set out below:

CAB121: Capital Programme and Resources

1)     Cabinet recommends to Council the amendments to capital schemes and resources for the 2025-2030 capital programme as detailed in the report. 2

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.

CAB122: Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/2027.

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

CAB123: Capital Strategy 2026/2027

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