Issue - meetings

This report fulfils the statutory requirement to agree a budget for 2026/27, comprising both revenue and capital expenditure plans, and to set a council tax for the year.The Council Tax recommendation as supported by Financial Strategy Advisory Group is for an increase of £6.93 per annum (Band D property), an equivalent increase of 2.98%, taking Band D rate to £239.85.

The Council gave consideration to its 2026/27 budget, comprising both revenue and capital expenditure plans and Council Tax amounts for each band of dwelling.  The report took account of the recommendations of the Community & Wellbeing, Environment, Licensing and Planning Policy and Strategy & Resources Committees (appertaining to fees and charges, the revenue budget and capital programme).

The Mayor informed the Council that a correction to the table included at Recommendation 1.7 of the report had been published prior to the meeting.

In moving the recommendations of the report, the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, Councillor Neil Dallen, made a statement to the Council on the budget for 2025/26 and informed the Council of the following corrections to the report:

·       Recommendation 1.6.3 (page 16 of the agenda pack) – the wording “£8,174,856 being the amount by which the aggregate at 1.5.1above” is corrected to: “£8,174,856 being the amount by which the aggregate at 1.6.1above”

·       Recommendation 1.6.4 (page 16 of the agenda pack) - the wording “£239.85 being the amount at 1.5.3” is corrected to “£239.85 being the amount at 1.6.3”

·       Table 12.8 (page 28 of the agenda pack) - the 2^nd subtotal, should read “Subtotal - Reserves Unavailable for general use”, corrected from the wording “Available for general use”.

In response, Councillors Kate Chinn, James Lawrence, Kieran Persand and Alex Coley spoke on behalf of their respective political groups.

An amendment to the report was MOVED by Councillor James Lawrence and SECONDED by Councillor Alex Coley. The proposed amendment was as follows:

Additional recommendation:

“Transfer all non-earmarked funds allocated for priorities 2, 3, 5 and 6 from the Strategic Priorities Reserve to the General Fund Working Balance.?”

The amendment was not accepted by the proposer of the original motion and accordingly was debated by the Council. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was LOST with 10 votes for, 19 votes against and the Mayor not voting.

An amendment to the report was MOVED by Councillor Alex Coley and SECONDED by Councillor James Lawrence. The proposed amendment was as follows:

Additional recommendation:

“That the minimum balance on the capital receipts reserve is removed and £1m of the reserve funds be used to fund the Bourne Hall heating & ventilation capital project, as recommended by FSAG.”

The amendment was not accepted by the proposer of the original motion and accordingly was debated by the Council. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was LOST with 10 votes for, 19 votes against and the Mayor not voting.

?Upon being put, the motion to agree the recommendations of the report was CARRIED, as detailed below.

Accordingly, it was resolved:

With 19 votes for, 6 votes against, 4 abstentions and the Mayor not voting:

1.1 The Revenue estimates for 2026/27 (as included in Section 8 and  Appendix 2).

1.2 The Capital programme for 2026/27 and the provisional programme for 2027/28 to 2030/31, as summarised in the capital strategy statement (as included  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36