Purpose

It is recommended that Cabinet:
•note the 2026/27 Draft Budget, including progress to date in
setting out spending pressures and efficiencies.
•note the approach to resident engagement.

Content

RESOLVED:
 

That Cabinet notes the 2026/27 Draft
Budget, including progress to date in setting out spending
pressures and efficiencies, as set out in Appendix A.
That Cabinet notes the budget gap of
£21.3m for 2026/27 and the next steps required to close the
gap.
That Cabinet notes the proposed
Draft Capital Programme for 2026/27 of £277.4m, as set out in
Section 6 of the report and Appendix B.
That Cabinet notes the summary of
Resident Engagement and next steps. 

 
Reasons for
Decisions:
 
In January 2026, Cabinet will be asked to
recommend a Final Budget for 2026/27 to full Council for approval
in February. The draft budget sets out proposals to direct
available resources to support the achievement of the
Council’s corporate priorities, balanced against a
challenging financial environment, giving Cabinet the opportunity
to comment on the proposals and next steps.
 
(The decisions on
this item can be called-in by the
Resources and Performance Select Committee)