Issue - meetings

This report seeks guidance on the approach to producing the Council’s budget for 2025/26.

Following consideration of the report’s contents, the Group discussed the following points:

·                     The government funding assumptions are expected to be updated and reported to members after the first budget of the new government administration due in the Autumn.

·                     The background of the proposed increase in discretionary fees and charges income of 6%.

·                     Opportunities for partnership working.

·                     The current Homelessness position and potential impact on the future budget gap.

·                     Future Council Tax increases and the cost of increased demand for Council services.

Following the discussion, the Group moved to consider the report recommendations, which were agreed as follows:

(1)      The proposed approach to 2025/26 budget setting as set-out in sections 7 and 8 of the report;

(2)      That officers work to progress the workstreams set out in section 7 of the report, to produce specific income generation and savings options, in addition to savings already targeted;

(3)      That the proposed Five Year Plan and the budget process are aligned to ensure that any commitments are affordable;

(4)      The budget reporting timetable in Appendix 1 to the report.