URL: https://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4142

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To recommend to Council the annual budget.

Content: RECOMMENDED to Council that   1      The Cabinet notes the statement by the Executive Director: Resources on the robustness of the budget proposals and adequacy of reserves in section 11 of this report, as required by section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003.   2      That the Cabinet recommends to the Council a Net Revenue Budget of £131.618m and Council Tax level for 2026/27 as set out in Annexe G, to include the proposals detailed in the following recommendations 3.2.1 to 3.2.7;   i.       The draft budget proposals as set out in the report presented to the Cabinet’s meeting in December 2025, subject to the revisions in section 9.3.1b) to 9.3.1m) and those decisions to be taken elsewhere on this agenda on the capital programme;   ii.     The additional budget proposals as set out in Annexe A and Annexe D and in sections 7.2 (Revenue Support Grant), 7.3 (specific grants), 7.4 (business rates), 8.3 (Council Tax and collection fund) ,9.3 (updated commitments, pressures & savings) and 10.1 (Schools Budget) of this report;   iii.    A provision for inflation of £5.091m (section 9.2);   iv.    A general contingency totalling £2.500m (section 11.20) use of which is to be authorised by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Director: Resources in accordance with the delegations included in the Council’s constitution;   v.     A council tax discount of £50 for working age and pensioner households receiving council tax support (£0.156m), funded using the Financial Hardship Reserve, as set out in paragraph 9.3.1a);   vi.    A 4.99% increase in the Council Tax for the Council’s services with the Council Tax requirement, excluding Parish and Town Council precepts, of £91.458m;   vii.   A Council Tax for the Council’s services for each Valuation Band as follows:     Band Tax Level Relative to Band D £ A 6/9 1,187.64 B 7/9 1,385.58 C 8/9 1,583.52 D 9/9 1,781.46 E 11/9 2,177.34 F 13/9 2,573.22 G 15/9 2,969.10 H 18/9 3,562.92   3      That the Cabinet recommends that the Council approves the following indicators, limits, strategies and policies included in Annexe E, following their review by the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting on 21 January 2026: i.       The Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2026/27 to 2028/29 contained within Annexe E(i);   ii.     The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy contained within Annexe E(ii);   iii.    The Treasury Management Strategy Statement, and the Treasury Prudential Indicators contained in Annexe E(iii);   iv.    The Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator in Annexe E(iii);   v.     The Investment Strategy 2026/27 to 2028/29 and Treasury Management Limits on Activity contained in Annexe E(iv).   vi.    That the Cabinet recommends that the Council approves the reserves and balances policy (Annexe F);   vii.   That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to approve the detailed budget allocations for High Needs pupils and Early Years providers (section 10.1).   viii.Approves the virements relating to the 2025/26 budget as set out in Annexe H and recommends those that are over £0.100m for approval by Council.     The recommendations are designed to enable the Cabinet to propose a revenue budget and Council Tax level for approval by Council on 25 February 2026. Background information relating to the options considered is included in the report. None

Date of Decision: February 10, 2026