Agenda and decisions

To take any questions or statements from members of the Public.

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 November 2025 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

This report presents an appraisal of three strategic options for the future of Bourne Hall museum, drawing on findings from the Bourne Hall museum service review and the culture peer challenge report. The museum is a valued cultural asset with significant potential, but faces challenges in relevance, accessibility, and sustainability.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Option 2: Invest in improvement of the Museum (should option 2 be agreed a funding request will go to Strategy and Resources Committee March 2026 for consideration). In the event that Strategy and Resources Committee do not approve said funding, instead do nothing and carry on with business as usual.

This report considers the continued support of voluntary sector organisations and sets out the proposed funding arrangements for 2026/2027. The report also considers the impact of Local Government Reorganisation and presents a funding proposal for the financial year 2027/2028.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree to the financial support of the voluntary sector organisations as detailed in Option 2 (section 3.9 of the report).

This report considers whether to recommend to Full Council that the council makes the End Poverty Pledge (EPP) and agrees supporting the general statement and associated commitments.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Recommend to Full Council to sign the End Poverty Pledge, including agreeing the general statement and specific commitments set out in section 4 of the report.

(2)      Recommend to Full Council to nominate and authorise the Chief Executive to sign the Poverty Pledge on behalf of the council.

This report recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2026.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree the fees and charges for the Community and Wellbeing Committee for 2026/27.

This report summarises the proposed 2026/27 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2027/28 to 2030/31. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2026.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Submit the capital programme for 2026/27 as identified in section 3.1 of the report to Full Council for approval on 10 February 2026;

(2)      Submit the additional schemes identified in section 3.4 of the report to Full Council for approval on 10 February 2026 assuming funding is identified;

(3)      Note the provisional forecast of schemes for the capital programme for 2027/28 to 2030/31;

(4)      Note that schemes subject to external funding from Disabled Facilities Grants will only proceed once funding has been received.

This report sets out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2026/27.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Recommend the 2026/27 service estimates, as amended by the Chief Accountant verbally at the meeting, for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2026.