Purpose

The Local Government Act 2003 requires the
Chief Finance Officer (Deputy Chief Executive and CFO) to report to
Members, when setting the level of Council Tax, on the robustness
of the budget presented and adequacy of reserves. The CFO report
highlights the strong financial management the Council. It also
outlines the major financial issues facing the Council in the
medium-term period, which without the Council taking a commercial
approach could increase the reliance on council tax income as well
as impact on the future delivery of Council services.

Content

RESOLVED
that the Executive:
 
1) noted the Chief Finance
Officer (CFO) report (Appendix A) and the issues contained within,
including the local government finance settlement and the sections
on key risks, and that these be considered when setting the council
tax for 2026/27 and agreeing the Council’s medium term
financial plan (MTFP);
 
2) supported the response to
the local government finance settlement as set out in Appendix 6 of
the Chief Finance Officer report.