Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the preparation of the budget for 2026/27. The report seeks final guidance from the group prior to the finalisation of the Budget and Council Tax report for Full Council on 10 February 2026.

The Group received a report providing an update on the preparation of the budget for 2026/27. The report sought  final guidance from the Group prior to the finalisation of the Budget and Council Tax report for Full Council on 10 February 2026.

Members discussed the following issues:

·                 The impact of national changes to local business rates bills.

·                 How the finance settlement will impact funding of temporary accommodation pressures.

Following consideration of the report’s contents, the Group moved to consider the report recommendations, which were voted on individually, and agreed as follows:

With five votes for:

(1)        Provide the Chief Finance Officer with any further feedback needed to finalise the 2026/27 Budget and Council Tax report before the paper is taken to Full Council.

(2)        Note the provisional Local Government Financial settlement for 2026/27 announced on 17 December 2025.

(3)        Support that any surplus/deficit on 2025/26 business rates income, and any change in projected business rates income for 2026/27, will be offset by a transfer to / from the Collection Fund Equalisation Reserve.

With three votes for and two against:

(4)        Support a recommendation to Council of a council tax increase of 2.98% (£6.93 per annum for a Band D equivalent property) for 2026/27.