Decision details

a) Approve the budget and proposals set out in this report, including the level of Council Tax as set out in the Formal Council Tax Resolution for 2025/26, including Special Expenses & Parish Precepts, at Appendix A;

b) Note the advice of the Chief Finance Officer in relation to the robustness of the estimates within the overall budget, including the risks contained within it and the adequacy of the proposed level of financial reserves, as set out in the Statutory Report at Appendices B1 – B3;

c) Approve the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) at Appendix C;

d) Note the council’s forecast Cumulative Budget Deficit and Budget Strategy 2025/26 to 2027/28 at Appendix D, including the analysis of the movement in the 2025/26 Budget from the position approved by Council in February 2024;

e) Note the analysis of Budgets for 2025/26, by expense type, at Appendix E;

f) Approve the capital programme for 2025/26 to 2027/28 (Appendices F1, F2 & F3);

g) Approve the Capital Strategy at Appendix G;

h) Approve the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix H1 and note the advice of the treasury management consultants at Appendix H2;

i) Approve the council’s Pay Policy at Appendix I for publication on the council’s website from April 2025 (including Appendix I (I – iv) detailing the senior structure, officers pay and pay spines)

j) Note the Budget Consultation 2025/26 Report at Appendix J;

k) Note the Impact Assessment of the Budget Proposals for 2025/26 at Appendix K.