URL: https://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8492

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions for 2026/27 to 2029/30 as part of setting a robust and resilient budget and financial plan to meet the uncertainty, volatility and risk within the financial landscape. This report builds on those updates considering any further national and local changes impacting on the 2026/27 Budget and MTFP.

Content: The Cabinet has considered an update on the Council’s 2026/27 to 2029/30 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions as part of setting a robust and resilient budget and financial plan, and has:-   (1) Noted the details of the 2026/27 Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.   (2) Noted the financial forecasts and assumptions for 2026/27 to 2029/30.   (3) Noted and approved the indicative budget adjustments since the MTFP Update presented to the Cabinet meeting on 16 September resulting in savings requirement of £14.812m in 2026/27.   (4) Approved the allocation of £11.436m of the corporate contingency budgets to service budgets as part of the budget setting process.   (5) Noted the Section 151 Officer’s recommendation to hold the council’s General Fund Balance at its current level £15.183m in 2026/27 aligned to his risk assessment of the budget and the adequacy of reserves and balances to support the council’s 2026/27 Budget.   (6) Noted the Section 151 Officer’s recommendation to forecast annual increases in Council Tax of 4.99% as an MTFP Planning assumption reflecting government’s expectation to achieve Core Spending Power (CSP) increases included in the provisional settlement.   (7) Agreed to take the necessary steps to propose a final balanced 2026/27 Budget including any proposed Council Tax increase to be recommended for approval at the Council meeting on 26 February 2026. None. None.

Date of Decision: February 10, 2026