Agenda item

Cabinet, at its meeting on 30 January 2025, considered the attached report of the head of finance on the the draft revenue budget 2025/26, and the capital programme to 2029/30.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: to

1.    set the revenue budget for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025; 

2.    approve the capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendices D.1 and D.2 to the report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in Appendices D.3 and D.4 to the report;

3.    set the council’s prudential limits as listed in Appendix E to the report;

4.    set the medium-term financial plan to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix F to the report;

5.    allocate £590,000 to fund the Communities Capital and Revenue grant scheme

The chair referred to regulations that require councils to record the names of those councillors voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the budget, including amendments, and the council tax. In accordance with the regulations, she would call for a named vote on each of these matters at this meeting.

Council noted the report of the chief finance officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves.

Councillor Barker, Cabinet member for finance, presented Cabinet’s proposals for the revenue budget and capital programme. He moved and Councillor Rouane seconded a motion to approve Cabinet’s recommendations as follows:

1.    set the revenue budget for 2025/26 as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

2.    approve the capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in appendix D.1 and D.2 to this report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.3 and appendix D.4 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

3.    set the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

4.    set the council’s medium-term financial plan to 2029/30 as set out in appendix F to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

5.    allocate £590,000 to fund the Communities Capital and Revenue grant scheme.

In moving the Cabinet recommendations, Councillor Barker, the Cabinet member for finance introduced the draft budget, noting that the proposed budget covered the council’s costs and protected services with money going into reserves instead of taking it out providing a stable financial position going forward. The budget allocated further funds to continue supporting the community hub during a difficult time for some residents.  He noted that the national review of local government and the importance for the district council to ensure it has clarity on how services will be funded going forward.

The majority of members welcomed and supported the budget. The budget would ensure the continued delivery of the council’s key services to residents including housing and infrastructure projects. The budget committed a further £10 million to support housing need in the district, funding to deliver improved leisure facilities including a new floodlit multi-use games area in Berinsfield and funding was also included to assist with work towards the decarbonisation of leisure centres. The council’s Community Hub would continue to be funded  providing support and advice to those residents with cost of living concerns, helping people to meet the cost of energy bills and household essentials/food and additional funds would be made available through the council grant schemes, including ward councillor grants, to support community projects.

In accordance with regulations requiring councils to record the names of those members voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the council tax the chair called for a recorded vote which was carried with the voting being as follows:

RESOLVED: to

1.    set the revenue budget for 2025/26 as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

2.    approve the capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in appendix D.1 and D.2 to this report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.3 and appendix D.4 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

3.    set the council’s prudential limits as listed in appendix E to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

4.    set the council’s medium-term financial plan to 2029/30 as set out in appendix F to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 30 January 2025;

6.    allocate £590,000 to fund the Communities Capital and Revenue grant scheme.