Purpose

The report outlines East Herts Council’s strategic financial planning framework for the five-year period from 2026/27 to 2030/31. It sets out the Council’s approach to forecasting core resources, including business rates, central government grants, and council tax, and models different scenarios based on national policy developments and local economic conditions.

Decision

a) Approved the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2026–2031 as set out in Appendix A, along with the financial assumptions and modelling used to forecast resources and pressures over the MTFP period.

b) Noted the projected budget gap of £531k in 2026/27 and the cumulative gap of £2.41 million through to 2030/31.

c) Noted the adequacy of General Fund balances and the ongoing review of grants and reserves, with outcomes to be reported as part of the 2026/27 budget report later in the year.

d) Noted the financial planning framework and timetable for future reporting and decision-making.