URL: https://democracy.telford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=245

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED – that Cabinet noted:   a)     the Councils priorities to deliver our vision to protect, care and invest to create a better Borough:   · Every child, young person and adult lives well in their    community · Everyone feels the benefit from a thriving economy · All neighbourhoods are a great place to live · Our natural environment is protected, and the Council is taking a    leading role in addressing the climate emergency · A community focussed innovative Council providing efficient,    effective and quality services.   b)   Council Tax be increased for 2026/27 by £1.20 per week for the average Band B home, supporting investment in social care services, which would continue to see Telford & Wrekin Council have the lowest Council Tax in the Midlands for the services it provides, and one of the lowest in the country.   c)    the continued strong track record of sound financial management of the Council including delivery of a balanced budget for over 17 years.   d)   that 70 pence in every £1 the Council spends be allocated to Social Services.   e)    that a number of the investments made in the report, such as Nuplace and the Growth fund, generate a financial benefit, as well as fulfilling their primary purpose, which was invested in front line services. This was equivalent to provision of over 585,000 home care hours or over 6million £2 bus fare rides.   f)     the savings of £195.3m delivered since 2009/10 as a result of reduced government funding from 2011 whilst the cost and demand for many Council services have been increasing and in particular for Adult Social Care.   g)   the changes to the Local Government Finance Settlement, which were welcomed by the Council, with the implementation of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 for 2026/27 including a multi-year settlement and an updated formula incorporating updated data for deprivation and population which would better reflect needs.   h)   the changes to the Business Rates System effective from 1st April 2026 which would introduce 3 new multipliers as well as a reset of the system and a revaluation.   i)     National and international economic pressures which had resulted in a challenging financial outlook with interest rates and inflation remaining higher than Bank of England forecasts.     RESOLVED – that Cabinet approved:   a)    the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2029/30 and the budget framework for 2026/27 set out in the suite of reports.   b)   a Council Tax increase of 4.99% for 2026/27 including the Government’s 2% Adult Social Care precept, equivalent to £0.72 per week general Council Tax increase for the average Band B property and £0.48 per week for the ASC precept, which would be fully invested in the provision of social care services for the most vulnerable members of our community.   c)    the net investment of £15.8m into Adult Social Care and £2.7m in Children’s Safeguarding in 2026/27.   d)   the budget savings listed on Appendix 9 with a total of £19.1m ongoing savings including new savings of £9.3m in 2025/26 and £11.4m in 2026/27.   e)    the continuation of work with partner organisations, including Town & Parish Councils and Voluntary Sector and Community Groups to seek to identify ways to mitigate the impact of some of the cuts to services that we can no longer afford to deliver and to note the availability of the Invest to Save/Capacity Fund which is available to support partnership working.   f)     the base budget in Appendix 7.   g)   the policy framework for Reserves and Balances and their planned use outlined in Appendix 5.   h)   the Strategic Risk Register at Appendix 13.   i)     the endorsement of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme a link to which is included within Appendix 15, ready for implementation from 1 April 2026.   j)     the continuation of the Council Tax Reduction Hardship Assistance Policy.   k)    the revenue implications of the medium-term capital programme for the period 2026/27 – 2029/30 set out in the Capital Strategy and Programme.   l)     delegated authority be granted to the Director Finance, People & IDT after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services to action any virements required following the final allocation of the Dedicated Schools Grant and other Grants and following the completion of the NNDR1 and final estimates of Business Rates income.   m)  delegated authority be granted to the Director Adult Social Care after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration and Transformation, to enter into appropriate Section 256 and Section 75 Agreements under the NHS Act 2006 (as amended).   n)   the authorisation of Director Policy & Governance to execute all necessary contract documentation including affixing of the common seal of the Council as appropriate to enable the Council to enter into appropriate Section 256 and Section 75 Agreements under the NHS Act 2006 (as amended).   o)   the suite of MTFS reports as the Council’s Efficiency Strategy for 2026/27, including the documentation at Appendix 12, to enable new capital receipts to be used to fund the revenue costs of transformation and efficiency projects as assumed throughout these reports.   p)   delegated authority be granted to the Director Finance, People & IDT after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance & Customer Services to amend the use of the contingency in 2026/27 and to make any other associated adjustments to accommodate any difference in funding between that currently assumed and final grant allocations when received.   q)   delegation authority be granted to the Director Finance, People & IDT after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance & Customer Services to make changes to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy with immediate effect to reflect all grants received from Government with authority to incur associated spend.   r)    the Pay Policy for 2026/27.    s)    the additional recommendations contained in the other reports included in the suite of Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Date of Decision: February 12, 2026