Content

Decision:
That a cross-party grants review Working Group is
created.
Reason(s):

1.           
The
provisional local government finance settlement for 2025/26 was
extremely poor for most District and Borough Councils, with most,
including Guildford Borough Council, receiving no increase in their
Core Spending Power. This means that overall, the funding for
2025-26 will remain at the same level as 2024-25, even after an
increase in Council Tax revenues.  The
impact of the settlement is that there is no new funding available
to meet the cost of pay awards, demand and inflationary
pressures.

2.           
To ensure
that the council can continue to deliver its strategic objectives
within its budget, over 2025/26 all council grants will be
reviewed.

3.           
It is
important that a robust process and criteria for allocation of
grants in future is developed in line with the strategic
priorities.
Other options considered and rejected by the
Executive:
Option 1: No Grant Review.
Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or
lead councillors and any dispensation granted:
None.