Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommmend Forward to Council

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 4, 2025

Purpose: The Cabinet will be asked to consider the proposals for the 2025 to 2026 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025 to 2029 for West Suffolk Council, prior to its approval by Council.  This report includes the Minimum Revenues Provision (MRP) Policy and Prudential Indicators, and also the outcomes of the Council’s review of its fees and charges.   The fees and charges have been reviewed in accordance with the Council’s Fees and Charges Policy, which has resulted in proposed increases to some. Where the proposed increase is greater than five percent, this constitutes a Key Decision. The Cabinet will consider the proposals as part of its consideration of this report. 

Content: (Note: This item constituted a Key Decision in part where proposed increases in fees and charges contained in the report were greater than five percent (Attachment D, Appendix 6a). Other decisions emanating from the report would require final approval by Council on 25 February 2025. This is reflected in this Decisions Notice accordingly).   Recommended to Council (as part of the budget setting process) (25 February 2025):   That: 1.       the revenue and capital budget for 2025 to 2029, plus 2024 to 2025 capital projects that subsequently require to be carried forward at the year-end, attached at Attachment A and as detailed in Attachment D (Appendices 1-6), Attachment E, and Attachment F to Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.   2.       Having taken into account the conclusions of the Chief Operating (S151) Officer’s report on the adequacy of reserves and the robustness of budget estimates (Attachment C) and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) (Attachment D), particularly the Scenario Planning and Sensitivity Analysis (Attachment D, Appendix 5) and all other information contained in Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, the level of Council Tax for 2025 to 2026 be established at £203.67 for an average band D property (the level of council tax beyond April 2026 will be set in accordance with the annual budget process for the relevant financial year).   3.       The Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, be authorised to vire funds between existing Earmarked Reserves (as set out at Attachment D, Appendix 3) as deemed appropriate throughout the medium term financial planning period.   4.       Delegated authority be given to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources to formulate and implement in full, Government grant, discount or relief schemes (examples include but not limited to those set out in paragraphs 3.14-3.16 and 4.7-4.11 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007), so long as they are as a minimum, revenue cost neutral to the council.   5.       The statutory exceptions to Long Term Empty and Second Homes premiums, set out in paragraph 4.9 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be noted and the discretionary exceptions set out in paragraph 4.10 be approved, in order to align across the Anglia Revenues Partnership.   6.       Approval be given to collect the £70 civil fine from those residents that disclose incorrect information regarding their circumstances around Council Tax discounts, as detailed in paragraphs 4.12 to 4.15 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007.   7.       The in-house provision for custodian and post room services from April 2025 (or a date mutually agreed with the current outsourced provider Verse Facilities Management) be supported, as set out in paragraph 2.21 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007.    8.       A structured budget engagement exercise be carried out in late spring / early summer of 2025, to enable the budget setting for 2026-2027 to be shaped by residents and other stakeholders, as set out in paragraphs 5.12 to 5.15 of Report number: CAB/WS/25/007.   Resolved: That: 9.       The fees and charges price increases, as set out in Attachment D appendix 6a to Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.   Recommended to Council (as part of the budget setting process) (25 February 2025):   That: 10.     The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, as set out in Attachment F to Report number: CAB/WS/25/007, be approved.