To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Revenue and Capital Budget 2026/2027.

Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the Revenue Budget 2026/2027, the Fees and Charges for 2026/2027, the Revenue Reserves Statement, the Capital Strategy 2026/2027 and the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/2027 (as set out in the submitted report and supporting documents).

 

In accordance with legislation, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay advised that recorded votes would be taken on all the budget items on this agenda.

 

Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Tyerman seconded a motion as set out below:

 

1.            that Council Tax is increased by 4.99% for 2026/27, which includes a 2.99% increase plus a 2% levy for Adult Social care);

 

2.            that for 2026/27 net revenue expenditure of £205.3m, resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £101.2m, (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care), be approved;

 

3.            that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 be approved;

 

4.            that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s Reserves, (as set out in the Reserves Statement published in November 2025), be noted;

 

5.            that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2026/27 of £656,123 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

 

6.            that the Capital Strategy 2026/27 and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 be approved as published for Cabinet on 2 December 2025;

 

7.            that any technical adjustments to the Revenue and Capital Budget be delegated to the Section 151 in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance; and

 

8.            that it is agreed that any underspend from the current financial year, (2025/2026), will be considered for allocation into priority areas, which take into account the consultation results on the 2026/2027 budget.

 

The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay advised that two notices of motions to amend the Cabinet’s revenue budget proposals had been received, in accordance with Standing Order A13.4.

 

Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

 

1.            that Council Tax is increased by 4.99% for 2026/27, which includes a 2.99% increase plus a 2% levy for Adult Social care);

 

2.            that for 2026/27 net revenue expenditure of £205.3m, resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £101.2m, (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care), be approved,subject to the allocation of £50,000 one off funding to support a programme for improving the appearance of street name signage across Torbay.  This would focus on cleaning, refurbishment and repair (on a prioritised basis); and this funding to be identified from the Paignton and Preston Waterfront reduced income allocation of £300,000;

 

3.            that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 be approved;

 

4.            that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s Reserves, (as set out in the Reserves Statement published in November 2025), be noted;

 

5.            that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2026/27 of £656,123 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

 

6.            that the Capital Strategy 2026/27 and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 be approved as published for Cabinet on 2 December 2025;

 

7.            that any technical adjustments to the Revenue and Capital Budget be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance; and

 

8.            that it is agreed that any underspend from the current financial year, (2025/2026), will be considered for allocation into priority areas, which take into account the consultation results on the 2026/2027 budget.

 

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Carter, Cowell, George Darling, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Fox, Johns, Law, Long, Maddison, Penny, Pentney and Virdee (15);  Against:  Councillors Billings, Brook, Bryant, Bye, Fellows, Foster, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Spacagna, Stevens, Strang, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas, Tolchard, Tranter and Tyerman (16);  and Absent:  Councillors Douglas-Dunbar, Harvey, Hutchings, Nicolaou and Twelves (5).  Therefore, the amendment was declared lost.

 

Councillor Cowell proposed and Councillor Long seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

 

1.                 that Council Tax is increased by 4.99% for 2026/27, which includes a 2.99% increase plus a 2% levy for Adult Social care);

 

2.            that for 2026/27 net revenue expenditure of £205.3m, resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £101.2m, (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care), be approved,subject to the allocation of £50,000 ongoing funding to reintroduce a rolling programme, on a priority basis, of street cleaning in local community shopping areas (i.e. excluding main Town Centres); and this funding to be allocated from the Brighter Bay budget;

 

3.            that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 be approved;

 

4.            that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s Reserves, (as set out in the Reserves Statement published in November 2025), be noted;

 

5.            that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2026/27 of £656,123 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

 

6.            that the Capital Strategy 2026/27 and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 be approved as published for Cabinet on 2 December 2025;

 

7.            that any technical adjustments to the Revenue and Capital Budget be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance; and

 

8.            that it is agreed that any underspend from the current financial year, (2025/2026), will be considered for allocation into priority areas, which take into account the consultation results on the 2026/2027 budget.

 

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Amil, Atiya-Alla, Carter, Cowell, George Darling, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Fox, Johns, Law, Long, Maddison, Penny, Pentney and Virdee (15);  Against:  Councillors Billings, Brook, Bryant, Bye, Fellows, Foster, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Spacagna, Stevens, Strang, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas, Tolchard, Tranter and Tyerman (16);  and Absent:  Councillors Douglas-Dunbar, Harvey, Hutchings, Nicolaou and Twelves (5).  Therefore, the amendment was declared lost.

 

Councillor David Thomas’ and Councillor Tyerman’s original motion was then considered and agreed by the Council (by recorded vote) as set out below:

 

1.            that Council Tax is increased by 4.99% for 2026/27, which includes a 2.99% increase plus a 2% levy for Adult Social care);

 

2.            that for 2026/27 net revenue expenditure of £205.3m, resulting in a Council Tax requirement of £101.2m, (a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, of which 2% is for Adult Social Care), be approved;

 

3.            that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2026/27 be approved;

 

4.            that, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s Reserves, (as set out in the Reserves Statement published in November 2025), be noted;

 

5.            that it be noted that the Brixham Town Council precept for 2026/27 of £656,123 will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

 

6.            that the Capital Strategy 2026/27 and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 be approved as published for Cabinet on 2 December 2025;

 

7.            that any technical adjustments to the Revenue and Capital Budget be delegated to the Section 151 in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance; and

 

8.            that it is agreed that any underspend from the current financial year, (2025/2026), will be considered for allocation into priority areas, which take into account the consultation results on the 2026/2027 budget.

 

The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Billings, Brook, Bryant, Bye, Fellows, Foster, Barbara Lewis, Chris Lewis, Spacagna, Stevens, Strang, David Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas, Tolchard, Tranter and Tyerman (16);  Abstain:  Councillor Amil, Atiya-Alla, Carter, Cowell, George Darling, Mandy Darling, Steve Darling, Fox, Johns, Law, Long, Maddison, Penny, Pentney and Virdee (15); and Absent:  Councillors Douglas-Dunbar, Harvey, Hutchings, Nicolaou and Twelves (5).