The Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to consider the council's financial plans for the coming years, including the Capital Programme and the General Fund Revenue Budget. The committee was also set to review the Scrutiny Work Programme and the Forward Plan.

Capital Programme and Capital Strategy

The committee was scheduled to review the draft Capital Programme for 2026-2030 and the Capital Strategy for 2026/27. These documents outline the council's planned capital expenditure over the next four years and its strategy for managing these investments. The Capital Programme details specific projects and their associated costs, while the Capital Strategy provides the framework for how these investments will be financed and managed. The agenda indicated that various appendices, including details on general expenses capital monitoring, anticipated financing, and the capital strategy itself, were to be presented.

General Fund Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2027/28 to 2029/30. These documents are crucial for the council's financial planning, detailing how it intends to fund its services and manage its finances over the next few years. The agenda noted that the report and its appendices, including growth proposals and summaries of committee estimates, were to be presented. However, Appendix F, concerning Parish Council Precepts, was not available for this meeting and was expected to be provided for the subsequent Council meeting.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Proposals

The committee was also scheduled to consider the Revenue Budget Proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2026/27. The HRA is a ring-fenced account used to manage income and expenditure related to the council's housing stock. The proposals would outline the budget for managing and maintaining council housing. Appendices detailing the HRA's summary of income and expenditure, estimates, and capital programmes for the coming years were to be presented.

Review of Forward Plan and Scrutiny Work Programme

The Scrutiny Committee was set to review the council's Forward Plan, which outlines future council business and decisions. The purpose of this review was to identify any relevant items for inclusion in the Scrutiny Work Programme or to request further information on specific items. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to comment on the existing Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025/26, ensuring it remained relevant and effective in scrutinising council activities.

Response Tracker

Members were scheduled to review the response tracker, which likely details the progress and outcomes of previous council actions or inquiries. This item allows the committee to monitor the implementation of decisions and ensure accountability. The agenda indicated that the Scrutiny Committee Response Tracker for January 2026 was to be reviewed.