Purpose

To set out the organisation's revenue budget
incorporating decisions for the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme
and Treasury Management Strategy to be considered by the Strategy
and Resources Committee in making recommendations for council to
approve its budget.

Content

The Committee RESOLVED:

 
A. To note:
1. The budget consultation process that was
followed and feedback as outlined in Section 18 and Appendix 6.
 
2. That the budget consultation feedback and
equality impact assessments have been taken into consideration by
officers and have informed the final budget proposals.
 
3. The categorisation of earmarked reserves
and provisions as set out in section 15 of the main report.
 
4. The feedback provided by Bristol Schools
Forum for Strategy and Resources Committee and Council, for
consideration in making final decisions on the Dedicated Schools
Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 13.
 
5. The gross distribution of the 2025/26
Dedicated Schools Grant £547.8 million (£244.8m is
received net after deductions, for application and onward
administration of funds to schools and early years settings) as set
out in section 9.
 
6. The Housing Revenue Account Revenue budget
of £154 million as set out in section 11.
 
7. The Section 25 Statement of the Chief
Finance Officer (s151 Officer) as set out in section 17.
 
8. Any further DSG mitigation proposals for
commencement in 2025/26 approved by Children and Young People
Committee (subject to consultation where required).
 
B. (6 members voting in favour and 3 against)
To delegate authority:
 
1. To the Director of Finance in consultation
with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee, following the
2025/26 Final Local Government Finance Settlement, to make any
adjustments that may be required to the budget report in the
interim period between Strategy and Resources Committee 3 February
2025 and Full Council 25 February 2025. Any such adjustments will
then be reported to Full Council for noting.
 
2. To the Director of Finance in consultation
with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee to make any
necessary technical adjustments that may be required to the budget
with transfers to and or from reserves as appropriate.
 
C. (6 members voting in favour and 3 against)
To recommend for onward consideration to Full Council:
 
1. The Bristol City Council levels of Council
Tax increase by 4.99%; which includes 2% precept to support Adult
Social Care, noting the precepts of the Police and Crime
Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and the Avon Fire Authority.
 
2. The council’s General Fund net
revenue budget for the year 2025/26 as £571.139 million and
expenditure allocations as set out in Appendix 1; subject to any
budget amendments properly notified to and approved by the council
in line with the Constitution.
 
3. To approve the Reserves Policy 2025/26 as
set out in Appendix 14.
 
4. To approve the Capital Strategy 2025/26
– 2034/35 as set out in Appendix 2a.
 
5. The council’s capital budget and
programme for the years 2025/26 – 2034/35, totalling
£1.2 billion for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Fund as
set out in Appendix 2b.
 
6. The strategic Community Infrastructure Levy
allocations in section 13 are approved.
 
7. The proposed Treasury Management Strategy
for 2025/26 in Appendix 4, incorporating the Minimum Revenue
Provision policy and the prudential indicators and limits.
 
8. To approve the strategy for the Flexible
Use of Capital Receipts as set out in Appendix 5.