Decision Maker: Executive Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 26, 2025

Purpose: This report provides Executive Cabinet with the forecast position in relation to the revenue budget for 2025/26 at Period 6. It summarised the latest position with regard to: •                      The delivery of the revenue budget for 2025/26 •                      The implementation of recovery plans to bring the 2025/26 budget position back into balance •                      Requested transfers from the Contingency budget •                      The implementation of 2025/26 budget savings and those brought forward from prior years •                      The Council’s reserves and balances •                      The Council’s treasury management activity •                      The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget •                      Other financial matters, including acceptance of grant funding. 

Content: RESOLVED That Executive Cabinet NOTE: (i)                 The forecast General Fund revenue budget pressure of £7.038m after implementation of recovery plans totalling £3.450m, and contingent on remaining actions and recovery plans to stabilise the in-year position. Further plans of£6.512m are being developed and must be delivered by the end of the year, as outlined in paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4 (ii)               The scale of the challenge that this presents, and the importance of continued support for the ongoing efforts to stabilise the in-year position, as detailed in Section 2. (iii)             The forecast position with regard to the implementation of2025/26 budget savings, as detailed in Appendix 3 (iv)             The current investment and borrowing position as detailed in Appendix 5 (v)               The forecast in-year deficit on the DSG of £24.357m, as outlined in Appendix 6   That Executive Cabinet APPROVE: (vi)             Transfers from Contingency to service budgets totalling £1.870m, as summarised at paragraphs 1.5 to 1.6 and Appendix 1. (vii)           Recovery plans totalling £3.450m to help manage the forecast budget pressures, noting that these plans will only partly mitigate the overall pressure, as summarised in Appendix 8. (viii)         Transfers to/from earmarked reserves totalling £0.781m, as summarised in Appendix 2. (ix)             Acceptance of grant funding detailed in Appendix 7