To receive a Budget Statement from the Leader of the Council, to consider the following reports of the Section 151 Officer (copies enclosed) and to determine the level of Council Tax.
Members’ attention is drawn to the following Procedure Rules:
· Voting – Procedure Rule 13(5) set outs the requirement for any vote taken at a budget decision meeting (as defined by the Local Government Finance Act 1992) to be recorded in the Minutes.
· Budget Speech – Procedure Rule 1(13)(a) sets out the time limits in relation to the budget speech and (b) details the requirements for making alternative proposal or amendment as part of the Budget and Council Tax setting.
Minutes:
The Council considered the reports of the Director of Finance, on the recommendations of the Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 29 January 2026 relating to the revenue budget and the proposed level of Council for 2026 / 27.
The Leader of the Council made a budget speech (attached at APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes), during which he thanked the Chief Finance Officer and his team for their hard work alongside the Finance Working Group. He advised Members that the proposed budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) provided a financial framework and strategic plan for the Council, supporting its priorities and ensuring a long-term legacy was provided for the District. The Leader confirmed that the Council had the financial resources and dedicated workforce to meet the challenges ahead. He urged Members to endorse the proposed budget and MTFS to continue the vital work of serving the community and together, continue to deliver excellence for the Maldon District now and into the future.
The Leader of the Council then proposed that the recommendations set out in the reports at Agenda Items 9a – 9d be agreed. This proposal was duly seconded.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 1(13)a, each of the Opposition Leaders responded to the budget speech.
Councillor J Driver, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, thanked the Leader of the Council for sharing his budget speech in advance and acknowledged the collaborative and constructive culture that had developed within Maldon District Council. He noted the thorough work of the Finance Member Working Group and officers in producing a robust and transparent budget. It was highlighted that the budget was not only technically balanced but was also considered responsible, protecting essential services, ensuring value for money, and enabling targeted investment through prudent borrowing to support projects across the district. Councillor Driver emphasised the importance of local councils in strengthening communities and called for fairer long-term funding settlements, as well as a strong Maldon voice in the transition to a unitary authority, particularly regarding key infrastructure such as health, education and medical services. He concluded by stating that the budget reflected the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to constructive, positive change and encouraged the Council to carry forward the best of Maldon into the future.
Councillor S J Morgan, Leader of the Conservative Group, thanked the Leader of the Council for presenting the budget and acknowledged the collaborative work undertaken through the Finance Member Working Group. He noted that officers had provided clear guidance throughout the process and commented that this was the third budget he had experienced, each demonstrating continued improvement. Councillor Morgan highlighted the strengths of the district, including its valued services and strong waste contract, while recognising the challenges ahead as the move toward unitary authorities approached. He stressed the importance of leaving Maldon in a strong position and maintaining its unique character and confirmed that the Conservative Group would be supporting the budget.
Councillor W Stamp, Deputy Leader of the District Support Group (DSG) spoke on behalf of Councillor J C Stilts, Leader of the DSG, acknowledged the significant work undertaken by officers and Members in preparing the budget and MTFS, praising the professionalism of the Finance Team in producing a balanced financial plan during a challenging period for local government. She emphasised the opposition’s role in scrutinising assumptions, ensuring fairness, and testing the realism of the administration’s ambitions, particularly in light of rising service pressures, financial uncertainty and the implications of future Local Government Reorganisation. While welcoming investment in valued community assets, she stressed the need for transparency, equitable distribution across the district, and strong oversight of organisational transformation. Councillor Stamp noted ongoing concerns faced by residents, including cost?of?living pressures, access to services and affordable housing, and questioned whether a 2.9% Council Tax increase was justified given reserves and planned projects. She highlighted the risks associated with increased borrowing and urged robust business cases and financial resilience as the Council prepared for future challenges. She concluded by calling for fair investment, transparent reporting and prudent decision?making to ensure long?term sustainability for the district.
The Leader of the Council thanked the Leaders of the Opposition for their contributions and responded to the points raised. He acknowledged that while there were areas of deprivation within the district, Maldon remained comparatively less deprived nationally, which had influenced the limited government funding available. He outlined the aims of the Council’s transformation programme, emphasising the need for efficient services delivered by staff in the right roles. The Leader explained that freezing car parking charges had been chosen as a simple and fair way to support residents, businesses, and visitors, and noted that the Council would need to consider borrowing for the first time, with final decisions dependent on the balance between borrowing and the use of reserves. He highlighted the opportunities for investment in community assets and encouraged Members to identify any unfunded ward priorities while these could still be considered. The Leader concluded that the budget represented a positive legacy for the district and thanked Members for their support.
In response to a question raised regarding Agenda Item 9b – Proposed Budget 2026 / 26 the Director of Finance directed Members to Appendix 2 (page 281 of the agenda pack) which provided a detailed analysis of the proposals brought forward, including where there were existing earmarked reserves which would be used to fund them.
The Director of Place, Planning and Growth provided the Council with information regarding the Council’s review of its Local Development Plan (LDP) in response to a question, drawing attention to the Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) report due to be considered at a later point in this meeting. He explained how he was looking to progress an independent planning, project and resourcing plan to inform the Council’s future consideration of whether it progressed with its LDP review under the new system and what progress could be made between now and the vesting day of the new Council. No specific request for monies were therefore included in the operational budget process, however he highlighted that should the Council agree a project resourcing plan then there were earmarked reserves that were included in the proposals which were available for this purpose.
The Chairperson proposed that the Council take the recommendations set out in reports 9a and 9c en-bloc. This was duly seconded.
In response to the debate that followed and questions raised the Director of Finance provided Members with additional information, which included:
· In respect of external borrowing these linked to previous decisions of the Council for which full business cases had been completed and approved. Any further investments would need full business case approval in the normal way. Internal Audit were preparing a report on the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which would be presented to a future meeting of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee.
· The Director advised that he was mindful of the likely application of Section 24 rules in due course and that this was also being discussed by Essex Finance Officers. However, he was happy with the budget the Council was proposing at this time as there were no proposals which would fall within the scope of a possible future S24 provision.
The Chief Executive commented that the Council had to be mindful of any decisions it was making of substantial financial commitment. In reference to earlier comments regarding Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, he reassured Members that Officers would speak to any colleagues who the Council may join up with and making sure that the Council was not over committing itself or any other council and taking on any liability that the future councils would not agree with.
The Chairperson then moved the recommendations set out in reports 9a and 9c and these were duly agreed.