Issue - meetings

Background:

The report set out the Draft Capital and Revenue Budgets for 2026/27. In accordance with the Constitution, the Cabinet was required to develop ‘initial budget proposals’ approximately three months before finalising the budget and setting Council Tax levels at the end of February 2026.

The Draft Budget was based on the principles set out in the Medium Term Financial Outlook 2025-2030 (MTFO) considered by the Cabinet on 26 August 2025. The report also set out the proposed timetable for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The report set out that current projections for income and expenditure for 2026/27 would require the identification of savings proposals, additional income and/or an EFS request totalling £25.897million in order to deliver a balanced budget. Officers and Members would continue to review opportunities to reduce costs and increase income in the period leading up to the draft budget being presented to Cabinet on 10 February 2026.

Reasons:

It is the responsibility of the Cabinet to develop initial budget proposals for consideration by overview and scrutiny committees. These draft budget proposals are the first stage of the budget consultation process leading to further consideration by Cabinet on 10 February 2026 and formal council tax setting by Council on 26 February 2026.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8.44pm for a period of 10 minutes to allow for a comfort break.