URL: https://northnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1675

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To seek recommendation to Council to approve the 2025-26 Budget and MTFP

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive:   a)       Approved for consultation the 2025-26 Draft Revenue Budget, which includes:           i.               an estimated net revenue budget of £815.4m (£414.5m including the Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A, noting that this is subject to further update and change following the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.   ii.              a Band D Equivalent Council Tax of £1,827.06 for North Northamptonshire Council, representing an increase of 2.99% in the ‘core’ Council Tax and a further 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept.   iii.             pressures of £51.9m, including adjustments for the reversal of one-off funding in 2024-25, and savings, efficiencies and income proposals of £26.3m as detailed in Appendix B.   iv.            the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant budget of £414.5m for 2025-26, pending the final settlement, as detailed in Appendix C.   v.              the draft planned use of, contribution to, and movement in, reserves as identified in paragraph 5.42, section 9 and Appendix D of the report, noting the reserves will be reviewed again after the Finance Settlement and prior to the final budget proposals, to consider the risk applying at that time.   vi.            corporate budget requirements as set out in paragraph 8.1, including a contingency sum of £2.6m as set out in paragraph 8.2.   b)        For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG):   i.               Notes the provisional allocations of the funding for the Schools Block, Central School Services Block, High Needs Block and Early Years Block   ii         Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegates authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills  in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer), Executive Member for Finance and Transformation and the Executive Director for Children’s Services, to determine the DSG 2025-26 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the early years funding formula in line with Department for Education guidance.   c)       Endorsed the budget consultation process as outlined at paragraphs 13.16 to 13.20 which commences following the approval of the recommendations in this report.   d)       Noted that the funding allocations are estimates only at this stage and will not be confirmed until the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.   e)       Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance (S151 Officer) to amend the draft budget following the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.     Reason for Recommendations: To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution and legislative requirements in setting the budget for North Northamptonshire Council from 2025-26.   Alternative Options Considered – This is the start of the formal budget consultation for the General Fund and any comments from the consultation, together with any changes from the Finance Settlement, will be considered as part of this process to inform the need for alternative options.  

Date of Decision: December 19, 2024