URL: https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=568

Decision Maker: Council, Policy & Resources Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Consideration was given to the revised report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 71 to 92 of the Book of Reports, which sought to set a balanced Revenue Budget for the forthcoming financial year 2026/27 and presented the updated Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) for the following financial years 2027/28 to 2028/29, noting the latest forecast budget gap of £3.791m, comprising:   • £2.540m in 2027/28 • £1.251m in 2028/29   Set out the reserves position as at 31 March 2025 and the forecast position to 2028/29.   The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been attached as an Appendix to the report.   In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, voting on Motion was recorded as follows:   FOR: Councillors:          Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts and West (TWENTY-THREE)   AGAINST: Councillors:  Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (EIGHTEEN)   ABSTENTIONS: Councillors Hesketh, Hogan, and Johnson (THREE)   The Motion was CARRIED.   RESOLVED:   A.    That the General Revenue Account (GRA) budget for 2026/27 be approved based on the proposals to be presented at the Council meeting.   B.    That the latest GRA Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) budget gap for 2027/28 to 2028/29 be noted.   C.    That the latest GRA reserves position as at 31 March 2025 and forecast to 2028/29 be noted and the GRA reserves policy be approved.   D.    That Local Government Act 2003 (Section 25) report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer) at Appendix 4 with regards to the financial robustness and adequacy of reserves be noted.   E.    That delegated authority be given to the Acting Chief Executive and the Corporate Directors to take all necessary action to implement the changes resulting from the budget proposals.   F.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer) to apply annual inflationary increases to fees and charges were appropriate.   G.   That delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer) to explore becoming a member Council in Veritau Public Sector Limited (VPS).  

Date of Decision: February 26, 2026