Agenda item

Purpose: the budget acts as an indicator that the Council has set aside sufficient financial resources to achieve its objectives and to ensure that Council Tax bills can be issued to residents across the district prior to the start of the new financial year. This report details the budget proposals for financial year 2026/27 and supporting Council Tax proposals and resolutions.

Resolved that: Executive referred the report to Council to consider the following recommendation

Council Tax

·       That Council approves the 2026/27 Council Tax requirement of £136.28 million, requiring a Council Tax increase of +2.99% with a +2.0% Council Tax precept ringfenced for Adult Social Care.

Revenue Budget

·       That the proposed General Fund net budget requirement of £210.9 million itemised in Appendix B is approved.

·       That the fees and charges disclosed in Appendix C are approved.

·       That the proposed savings disclosed in Appendix F and investments disclosed in Appendix E are approved.

·       To note that a budget consultation was undertaken between 1st December 2025 and 12th January 2026. The consultation responses are disclosed in Appendix I.

·       To note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations totalling £139.99 million and agree that the schools block of £74.09 million is allocated to schools using the local formula agreed by The Schools Forum on 19th January 2026. The outline DSG budget by block is detailed in Appendix H. Members are asked to note that the expenditure budget set is more than income funding available, and it is therefore anticipated that the cumulative High Needs Block (HNB) deficit will be increased by +£16.98 million in 2026/27 to £31.53 million. The cost of financing the HNB is factored into the revenue capital financing requirement for 2026/27 and drives part of the Council’s EFS request.

·       That the Executive ratifies the EFS request to Central Government of £50 million, split between £20 million attributable to 2025/26 to provide resilience to the reserves position, and £30 million required to balance the 2026/27 revenue budget.

·       It is further proposed that Council approve a 100% Council Tax discount for Care Leavers aged 18- 25 who reside in West Berkshire

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·     the item is due to be referred to Council for final approval.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

Councillor Iain Cottingham introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 9), which detailed the budget proposals for financial year 2026/27 and supporting Council Tax proposals and resolutions.

Councillor Jeff Brooks seconded referral of the report to Council to consider the below recommendation.

Recommendation:

Council Tax

·         That Council approves the 2026/27 Council Tax requirement of £136.28 million, requiring a Council Tax increase of +2.99% with a +2.0% Council Tax precept ringfenced for Adult Social Care.

Revenue Budget

·         That the proposed General Fund net budget requirement of £210.9 million itemised in Appendix B is approved.

·         That the fees and charges disclosed in Appendix C are approved.

·         That the proposed savings disclosed in Appendix F and investments disclosed in Appendix E are approved.

·         To note that a budget consultation was undertaken between 1st December 2025 and 12th January 2026. The consultation responses are disclosed in Appendix I.

·         To note the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations totalling £139.99 million and agree that the schools block of £74.09 million is allocated to schools using the local formula agreed by The Schools Forum on 19th January 2026. The outline DSG budget by block is detailed in Appendix H. Members are asked to note that the expenditure budget set is more than income funding available, and it is therefore anticipated that the cumulative High Needs Block (HNB) deficit will be increased by +£16.98 million in 2026/27 to £31.53 million. The cost of financing the HNB is factored into the revenue capital financing requirement for 2026/27 and drives part of the Council’s EFS request.

·         That the Executive ratifies the EFS request to Central Government of £50 million, split between £20 million attributable to 2025/26 to provide resilience to the reserves position, and £30 million required to balance the 2026/27 revenue budget.

·         It is further proposed that Council approve a 100% Council Tax discount for Care Leavers aged 18- 25 who reside in West Berkshire.