Purpose

The Cabinet will be presented with an update on the Council’s MTFS for 2026/27 to 2028/29 and asked to approve the outline Budget Strategy for 2027/28 and beyond.

Decision

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note the updated financial context and overview, as set out in section 2 of the report;

(ii)  Approve the Budget Strategy and approach to setting the 2027/28 budget, as set out in section 3 of the report;

(iii)  Note the latest MTFS projections and forecast budget gap for 2027/28 of £27.9m, as set out in section 4 of the report;

(iv)  Note the assumptions set out in the report underlying those forecasts as well as the financial risks and uncertainties, as set out in section 4 of the report;

(v)  Note the Housing Revenue Account, Schools and Capital budget strategies and approach, as set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of the report respectively; and

(vi)  Note the outline budget setting timetable for 2027/28, as set out in section 9 of the report.