Purpose

To present an
updated medium term financial strategy (MTFS) and the
Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2026/27 and an update on the
longer-term view to 2029/30 for consultation as part of the annual
reporting on the Policy and budget framework required under the
Local Government Act 2000.
 

Decision

Cabinet:
 
1. 
Note the 2025/26 current year forecast outturn position as detailed
in section 5 of the report.

 
2. 
Note the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy position set out in
section 8 of the report and the risks and sensitivities associated
with the forecast and the contingency plans set out in section 14of
the report.
 
3. 
Note that consultation will run for 8 weeks during November and
December 2025 as detailed in section 22 of the report.
 
4. 
Approve the budget proposals for consultation, including the
proposals for changes to fees and charges, detailed in section 9
and appendices 1 and 4, with the Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs)
detailed in appendix 3 of the report.
 
5. 
Note that this update shows a balanced budget in 2026/27 and
2027/28, with an indicative budget gap in the last years of the
MTFS, which may fall post local government reorganisation.
 
6. 
Note the initial proposals for additions to the capital programme
for 2026/27 to 2029/30 which are still subject to final review in
section 12 and appendix 2 of the report.