Agenda and decisions

(i)        To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

(ii)       In accordance with the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the Strategic Director - Corporate Resources, Kevin Foster declares a disclosable personal interest (non-pecuniary) in any items concerning the companies of which he is a Council-appointed director. The companies are listed in the attached schedule. The interests are such that Mr Foster may advise on those items.

To consider any business which the Chair rules may be dealt with under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

No questions have been received from Members of the Public.

No written questions have been received from Members of the Council.

In accordance with Standing Orders, the Council to receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council (or their nominated spokesperson), Committee Chairs and/or the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    Council considers and acknowledges the Section 151 Officer’s s25 report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, including the factors which underpin the budget and specifically the need for exceptional financial support to balance the budget;

          (ii)   it be noted that the financial position has been based on the final Local Government Finance Settlement announced on 3 February 2025 together with any further announcements at that date;

          (iii)  it be noted that the net cost of services position includes previously agreed savings and pressures included in the ‘Business as Usual Budget’ approved by Council on 27 February 2025;

          (iv)  it be noted that Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) is required to balance the 2025/26 budget and that this has been granted by MHCLG, as per Appendices 2 and 8 to the report;

          (vi)  the Council’s position on Reserves, recognising the unique situation the Council faces, be noted;  

          (vii) it be noted that work on the medium-term financial position will continue during 2025/26, with more savings likely to be required to Council services to address future budget gaps;

          (viii) the full net cost of services requirement for 2025/26, including the impact of the historic borrowing position is £162.8m as per Table 3, be agreed;

          (ix)  the Council increases its share of Council Tax for a Band D household by £8.68 (2.99%), with other bands increased in line with the formula, be agreed;

          (x)   an amount of Council Tax be set for each valuation band in accordance with Section 30 of the Local Governance Finance Act, 1992 as set out in the Council Tax Resolution in Appendix 6 to the report, be agreed; and

          (xi)  quarterly updates on progress against the delivery of the Improvement and Recovery Plan including the budgeted savings on the revenue and capital monitoring position continue to be required.

To receive and consider recommendations from the Executive.

The Council had before it a report on the recommendations from the Executive held on 13 February 2025, setting out the extracts from the minutes of the meeting.

In accordance with the Constitution, the recommendations were deemed to have been moved and seconded.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    subject to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s confirmation of Exceptional Financial Support for 2025/26, the Capital Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy including the prudential indicators be approved; and

          (ii)   subject to MHCLG’s confirmation of Exceptional Financial Support for 2025/26, the Minimum Revenue Provision policy statement set out in Appendix A of the Treasury Management Strategy (at Annex III of the report) be approved.

Reason:   To enable the Executive to recommend to Council approval of the Council’s 2025/26 Capital Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy and the Council’s 2025/26 Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, subject to MHCLG’s confirmation of Exceptional Financial Support for 2025/26.

No motions have been received from Members of the Council.