URL: https://democracy.ribblevalley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1413

Decision Maker: Policy and Finance

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report for information providing details of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.   On 20 November 2025 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a Policy Statement which set out the government’s intentions for the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Policy Statement set out the Government’s intention to include pooling gains within transitional protection arrangements, which would mean a significant improvement in the Council’s funding position in comparison to the indications arising from the Fair Funding 2.0 consultation. MHCLG also stated that revenue funding for Weekly Food Waste collection would be ‘rolled in’ to the grant settlement.    The Provisional Local Government Grant Settlement for 2026/27 to 2028/29 had been published on 17 December 2025. The Provisional Finance Settlement set out the Council’s detailed funding for the forthcoming 3 years. This confirmed the transitional protection arrangements in the Policy Statement. For Ribble Valley, the Damping Payment would be £195k for 2026/27, £965k in 2027/28 rising to £1.8m in 2028/29 the final year of the multi-year settlement to compensate for the phased reduction in Settlement Funding Assessment. There was no indication of what would happen beyond this period. The report noted:   ·       It was disappointing that Food Waste funding had been rolled in to the grant settlement. ·       The inclusion of pooling gains resulted in far better protection arrangements for Ribble Valley BC. ·       There would be a cliff edge potentially after 2028/29. ·       At this stage we assume we will receive Extended Producer Responsibility funding at the same level as the current year i.e. £792k for each year.   A consultation period ran until 14 January 2026. The Council had responded to the consultation setting out the importance of the announced protection arrangements.   The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive informed members that the Final Local Government Finance Settlement had since been announced and further information was given in the following report.    

Date of Decision: February 10, 2026