Decisions

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).

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:

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 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.

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: The Forward Decisions List was noted.