That Cabinet recommend to Council;

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.

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.