Issue - meetings

This report informs the Committee of the Council’s revenue budget targets presented to the Strategy & Resources Committee in July. The report seeks guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2026/27.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Note the implications of the budget targets presented to Strategy & Resources Committee on 15 July 2025.

(2)        Note that owing to the Council’s projected budget deficit, any additional new revenue growth items (i.e. service enhancements resulting in increased net expenditure) supported by Policy Committees will need to be fully funded from existing budgets.

The Committee received a report that informed the Committee of the Council’s revenue budget targets presented to the Strategy & Resources Committee in July. The report seeks guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2026/27.

The Committee requested that realistic budgets and early notification be put forward this year. It was recognised that there were several staffing changes that impacted the reporting last year. The Chief Accountant explained that Audit and Scrutiny Committee had recently had a lengthy discussion on the budget deficit caused by adverse conditions in housing. It was also recognised that the true budget picture would not be known until the Government funding settlement is announced in late December. Once this is known, any deficit that remains will need to be funded by drawing down from reserves.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

1. Note the implications of the budget targets presented to Strategy & Resources Committee on 15 July 2025.
2. Note that owing to the Council’s projected budget deficit, any additional new revenue growth items (i.e. service enhancements resulting in increased net expenditure) supported by Policy Committees will need to be fully funded from existing budgets.