Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED that Cabinet:   CORPORATE FINANCE PERFORMANCE   (i)            Note the £8.9M projected cost pressure on the Council’s 25/26 General Fund budget, a deterioration of £5M since Q1;   (ii)           Note the continued cost pressures within Children’s Social Care driven by factors largely outside of the Council’s direct control;   (iii)          Note the drawdown of £5.9m of reserves previously earmarked for specific purposes, mainly relating to school balances / grant funding;   (iv)         Receive further updates from Executive Directors for the areas where costs pressures are being experienced, specifically:   • Children’s Social Care – Residential Placements. • Adults Social Care – Placement costs and other pressures. • Home to School Transport;   (v)          Note the update provided by the Director of Finance (S151 Officer) regarding the Government’s recent Spending Review and pending Local Government Finance reforms;   (vi)         Note the Housing Revenue Account is forecast to end the financial year with a balanced position;   (vii)        Note the accounting write-off of historic bad debts totalling £1.0M as detailed in the report [NB: all debts remain liable for collection];   CAPITAL PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE   (viii)       Note the updated Capital Programme from 2025/26 to 2029/30;   (ix)         Note scheme slippage of £6.6M;   (x)          Note increased costs totalling £0.9M, relating to the Milefield Primary Roofing scheme (£0.4M) and LUF Youth Place and Space Scheme (£0.5M);   TREASURY MANAGEMENT   (xi)         Approve the updated Prudential and Treasury Management indicators; and   (xii)        Note the key messages from the Council’s Treasury Management activities (paragraph 4).