Issue - meetings

In accordance with Procedure Rule 13(5) the Chairperson requested a recorded vote and this was duly seconded.

The Chairperson then read out the recommendations and put them to the Council. This was duly seconded.

In response to a query, the Monitoring Officer clarified that the recommendations in this report were assuming that this was the Council Tax band D level. If a Council Tax increase of 2.99% was not agreed this amount would be replaced with the amount agreed as part of the recommendations contained within the report at agenda item 9d. Therefore, Members could agree recommendations (i) to (viii) on block.

The Chairperson then moved the recommendations, and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendations:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, J R Burrell-Cook, S Dodsley, J Driver, M F L Durham, A Fittock, L J Haywood, J C Hughes, K M H Lagan, A M Lay, W J Laybourn, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, R Pratt, R H Siddall, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens, J C Stilts, N Swindle and M E Thompson.

Against the recommendations:

Councillors A S Fluker, U G C Siddall-Norman and W Stamp.

Abstentions:None.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:

(i)         The reduction in core spending power allocation as set out in the provisional financial settlement for local government (see section 4.2 of the report). The final settlement is expected in the week of 9 February, and any changes will be reported to the meeting.

(ii)        The base budget changes from 2025/26 to 2026/27 (section 4.4 and Appendix 1 to the report).

(iii)       The revenue budget growth bids received and recommended growth and savings as discussed by the Finance Member Working Group (section 4.7 and Appendix 2);

(iv)       The repairs and renewals schemes proposed for 2026/27 (section 4.8 and Appendix 3 to the report);

(v)        The budget assumes the average Band D Council Tax of £238.95 (excluding parish precepts), which is a £6.94 or 2.99% increase for 2026/27 (section 4.9 of the report). The formal council tax resolution to be approved by council is set out elsewhere on this agenda. The basis for calculating the charge is set out in Appendix 4 to the report;

(vi)       The impact on reserves and the current policy for reserves, including of a minimum general fund balance of £2.6m as discussed by the Finance Member Working Group (section 4.10 and Appendix 5 to the report);

(vii)      the proposed policy on ‘excess’ reserves (paragraph 4.11.3 of the report);

(viii)     the advice of the Chief Finance Officer (S151 Officer) regarding the robustness of budgets and adequacy of reserves (section 5.6 and Appendix 6 to the report).