Agenda item

Report of Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, Councillor Peter Jeffries

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets said it was his privilege to present the budget proposals for 2026-27, which will be debated in full at Council in three days’ time.

A Member said it was good to hear the thorough examination of the council’s finances at Audit, Compliance and Governance Committee on Monday night, and the responses from the external auditors and officers confirm that this is a good budget. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets also thanked Budget Scrutiny Working Group for their valuable input.

RESOLVED THAT: Cabinet recommends that Council:

1.    approves the revised budget for 2025/26 which is reported as part of the budget monitoring process in Section 6 and Appendix 15.

2.    considers the budget assessment by the Section 151 Officer at Appendix 2 when agreeing the following recommendations.

3.    approves the final budget proposals including a proposed council tax for the services provided by Cheltenham Borough Council of £252.11 for the year 2026/27 based on a Band D property (an increase of 2.99%).

4.    approves the budget strategy for the delivery of savings / additional income totalling £582,852 at Appendix 4.

5.    approves the revenue growth items totalling £159,334 at Appendix 5.

6.    approves the capital programme at Appendix 6.

7.    approves that the minimum level of General Fund Balances is set at £1.5m.

8.    approves the use of reserves and general balances and note the projected level of reserves, as detailed at Appendix 7.

9.    approves the programmed maintenance programme at Appendix 8.

10. approves the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers in Appendix 9.

11. approves the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) detailed in Appendix 10.

12.approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26, including the continued payment of a living wage supplement at Appendix 11.

13.approves the proposed fees and charges schedule for 2026/27 at Appendix 12, subject to appropriate consultation where required.

14.approves the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2025/26 at Appendix 13.