Purpose

To consider the MTFP Update report.

Content

RESOLVED that Cabinet:
-

(a) 
acknowledged the ongoing progress being made to address the
funding gap for 2026/27;

(b) 
endorsed the latest position regarding the developing 2026/27
Budget and MTFP position;

(c) 
noted the update on the conversation with government around the
impact that the DSG deficit is having on the financial
sustainability of the council; and

(d) 
continue to express concern to government at the existential
challenge to the Councils ability to set a legally balanced budget
for 2026/27 posed by having the lack of cash to fund the special
educational needs and disability service (SEND);

(e) 
Request the Leader and CEO to write to the
Ministers for Education and Local Government to demand a meeting to
resolve how BCP finances the DSG deficit in such a way as the
Councils general fund is not affected

(f)   
Ask BCPs local MP’s to write in support of
the above at ‘e’.
 
Voting: Unanimous
Portfolio Holder: Finance
Reason

To comply with accounting codes of
practice and best practice which requires councils to have a
rolling multi-year medium term financial plan.

To provide Cabinet with the latest
high-level overview of the 2026/27 Budget and 3-year medium-term
financial plan.
To provide an
update on the letters submitted to MHCLG in July 2025 regarding the
difficulties presented by the accumulating DSG deficit.
The reason for the additional recommendations
at ‘e’ and ‘f’, was the serious concerns of
the Cabinet regarding the DSG deficit and ongoing cashflow issues
to fund the deficit position interest which had now reached
£6million.