Issue - meetings

This report sets out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2026/27 and recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2026.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Recommend the 2026/27 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026, amended since the publication of the draft budget book, as set out in table 4.6;

(2)       Recommend the 2026/27 fees and charges, as set-out in Appendix 1 to the report, for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026;

(3)       Agree the Council Tax Discount bands for 2026/27, as set-out in section 7.

The Committee received a report setting out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2026/27 and recommending fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2026.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Percentage fee change. In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Accountant informed the Committee that the Medium Term Financial Strategy set that fees should be increased by at least the rate of CPI plus 1%. The rate of CPI in September of the previous year was used for this calculation (3.8% in September 2025), with a total of 4.8% as the result. 

b)            Future savings and income generation. In response to a question from a Member, the Director of Corporate Services and Section 151 Officer informed the Committee that any future sustainable savings or income generation opportunities identified could be taken forward by the new unitary East Surrey Council.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Recommend the 2026/27 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026, amended since the publication of the draft budget book, as set out in table 4.6 of the report;

(2)      Recommend the 2026/27 fees and charges, as set-out in Appendix 1 to the report, for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026;

(3)      Agree the Council Tax Discount bands for 2026/27, as set-out in section 7 of the report.