Decision - Revenue and Capital Budget 2026/2027

Revenue and Capital Budget 2026/2027

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To approve the Council’s Revenue Budget and Capital Plan Budget for 2026/2027 including the setting of fees and charges for Council services and Capital Strategy.

There are currently a number of unknown elements in respect of Government’s financial settlement including the implications of the Autumn Budget expected end November 2025 and the Government’s provisional local government finance settlement due to be announced in December 2025. The Cabinet will launch its draft budget for six weeks consultation at its Cabinet meeting on 2 December 2025, with the final recommendations being considered by Cabinet and Council in February 2026. As the budget proposals will not be submitted before 8 February 2026, Standing Orders F2.7 to 2.11 will not apply (whereby the Council provides any objections to the Cabinet to review before determining the budget).

Decision:

1. that the budget proposals for 2026/27 are launched for consultation running until midnight on 18 January 2026 and that the Overview and Scrutiny Board be asked to provide feedback as part of that consultation;

2. that the Chief Finance Officer be given authority to amend these budget proposals for any technical adjustments necessary between services and within the overall envelope of funding in agreement with the Leader of the Council;

3. that, should the Local Government Finance Settlement due to be announced in December 2025 materially affect the proposed budget proposals, the Director of Finance be requested to present an update report to the Overview and Scrutiny Board and Cabinet in January 2026; and

4. that the Chief Finance Officer report to the meeting of the Cabinet on 17 February 2026 on the implications for 2026/2027 as a result of these proposals currently being considered and the consultation results, in light of the final settlement which is expected by early February 2026.

Reasons for the decision:

To enable the consultation process on the proposed Revenue Budget and Capital Plan for 2026/2027 to begin.

Alternative options considered:

Alternative options were not considered.

Implementation:

This decision to publish the draft revenue budget and the savings proposals will come into force immediately, so as to commence the formal consultation process on the budget.

Information:

The Cabinet has announced their provisional revenue and capital budget including proposals for budget changes and fees and charges for 2026/2027 (as available at Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 5.30 pm) to enable the consultation process to start. These budget proposals will support the Council in delivering its ambitions as set out in the Community and Corporate Plan.

The Cabinet wishes to hear the views of all Members of the Council, the Overview and Scrutiny Board and external stakeholders together with specific service users on their proposals before finally recommending a budget to the Council in February 2026. Councillor Tyerman proposed and Councillor David Thomas seconded a motion, as set out above, which was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Publication date: 03/12/2025

Date of decision: 02/12/2025