URL: https://democracy.stratford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4123

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Curtis – Resources Portfolio   An amended Capital Programme table was circulated at the meeting and had also been published on the Council’s website.   Under the provisions of Minute 463 (2025/26), The Cabinet had endorsed the Council’s Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and a five year budget plan for public and stakeholder consultation.   In respect of the consultation undertaken, feedback from the Public Consultation, the Non-Domestic Ratepayers Consultative Forum and the findings of the Budget Task and Finish Group, as reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 4 February 2026, was presented.   In presenting the report, the Portfolio Holder advised that the provisional final government planning settlement, received prior to the end of 2025, had potential to change. The Chief Executive and the S151 Officer added that this related to a potential technicality that the government was seeking to address. It was noted that all councillors would be advised on the outcome of the discussions, anticipated later that day.   Accordingly, under the draft budget proposals, The Cabinet endorsed:   ·       budget amendments, as identified in Appendix 6 of the agenda report; ·       an increase in the level of Council Tax for 2026/27; ·       the proposed levels of fees and charges for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix 5 of the agenda report; and ·       the submission of the provisional Non-Domestic Rate contributions to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), detailed in Appendix 7 of the agenda report.   In considering the report, The Cabinet was required to address corporate governance issues as required under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2003. These were summarised as follows:   Adequacy of Reserves   The Chief Financial Officer had a duty to report on the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves when the budget was being considered. The desired level of revenue balances, as determined by the Chief Financial Officer was £3.0 million for 2026/27, and as agreed in the Reserves Strategy approved by The Cabinet in January 2026 (Minute 463 refers), the position in relation to the Council’s General Fund Reserve figure would be reviewed annually. The actual level of reserves as at 31 March 2026 was still to be determined, however, it was estimated to be around £17.3 million. The estimated position of the General Fund Reserves over the next five years was summarised in the MTFS.   Robustness of Estimates   The Chief Financial Officer had a specific duty to report on the robustness of estimates in the budget proposals when the budget was being considered. The Cabinet acknowledged that a rigorous process and timetable had been followed throughout the Budget setting process this year and all key assumptions used had been reviewed and scrutinised as part of this process.   The options available to The Cabinet were to approve or amend any of the proposals.   In considering the report, The Cabinet acknowledged that the Council had undertaken a comprehensive review of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to arrive at a five-year budget plan that met the corporate priorities of the Council.   Councillor Crump, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) provided feedback from the meeting of the OSC held on 4 February 2026 and noted the increased charges of fly-tipped waste collection and the decrease in overnight car parking charges at Council run carparks. OSC members requested that with future budgets, any significant increases or decreases in spending or charging be accompanied with a brief narrative to explain the change.   In response to a query regarding whether the monies used for the Stratford-upon-Avon Leisure Centre Solar Panels scheme should have formed part of the budget consultations, it was confirmed that the money used for the solar panel installations had been from the Climate Change budget from the previous year.   Accordingly, it was   RECOMMENDED to Council:   (1)   That the proposed Medium Term Capital Programme, detailed at Appendix 4 to the agenda report, be agreed;   (2)   That the proposed Medium Term Revenue Budget, detailed at Appendix 6 to the agenda report be approved; and   (3)   That the level of Council Tax be set at £174.18 for a Band D property for 2026/27.   RESOLVED:   (1)        That the proposals for fees and charges, detailed at Appendix 5 to the agenda report, be approved; and   (2)        That the Non-Domestic Rates provisional contributions for 2026/27, as detailed in the NNDR1 form at Appendix 7 to the agenda report, be approved.   Note: Recommendations 1 to 3 are not subject to call-in as the matter is subject to recommendation to Council.  In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Resolutions 1 and 2 are not subject to call-in to the OSC.

Date of Decision: February 9, 2026