Issue - meetings

To note the medium-term financial strategy update.

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent because the council were responding to immediate circumstances and it was necessary to bring this to the attention of cabinet for any comments ahead of the budget report in February 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the following be noted:

1.  The update to the local government funding arrangements including the policy statement and the autumn budget

2.  The approach to setting the 2026-27 budget.

3.  The proposed options to help achieve a balanced 2026-27 (Appendix A of the report).

4.  The draft fees and charges schedules (Appendix B of the report).

5.  That strategic directors will continue to work with their respective cabinet members to find additional savings options to close the estimated funding gap.

6.  That equality impact assessments are ongoing, and a cumulative impact assessment will be presented to cabinet as part of the budget update in February.

7.  That the contents of the report will be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee in December 2025 and January 2026 prior to February 2026 cabinet.