Issue - meetings

Background:

The report presented the Capital Strategy for 2026/27 and beyond, which set out the Council’s priorities for capital investment to deliver its strategic aims in line with the Council Plan, and the process for formulating the capital programme.

The Capital Strategy, set out at Appendix 1 to the report, was to be viewed in conjunction with the Medium Term Financial Outlook 2025-30 and the Council Plan to integrate budget setting with service planning and ensure that priorities and funding were matched.

The report set out that the Capital Strategy was a key document for the Council and formed part of the authority’s financial planning arrangements alongside the Treasury Strategy, Medium Term Financial Outlook and annual capital and revenue budgets. The Capital Strategy set out how investment in both new and existing infrastructure and assets was prioritised to support the delivery of the Council’s priorities as set out in the Council Plan and supporting policy framework. It also provided an overview of how associated risk was managed and the implications for the future financial sustainability of the Council.

Reasons:

The Capital Strategy sets out how the Council sets its priorities for capital investment and the process for formulating the capital programme in line with the Council Plan. It is therefore an important part of the framework underpinning the budget setting process.