Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors C S Gore, J K Ford and G G Hunt.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 26 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Substitution Procedure Rules.

Councillor R V Joshi substituted for Councillor J K Ford.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 December 2024 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 January 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting.

None.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule(s) 11 and 12 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

Report of the Finance Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 12 – 53 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the 2025/26 Revenue Budget, Medium Term Financial Plan and 2025/26 – 2029/30 Draft Capital Programmes for recommendation to Full Council.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor S Z Haq, and

RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The General Fund Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1, subject to any final adjustments as may be required prior to Full Council (such as the NNDR1 final estimates and the Final Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26), be recommended to Full Council for approval;

ii)           An increase of Council Tax by the maximum core referendum limit of 2.99% as announced in the Provisional Local Government Settlement, subject to any update announced in the Final Local Government Settlement, be recommended to Full Council for approval;

iii)         The HRA budget for 2025/26, as detailed in Table 4 be recommended to Full Council for approval. This is based on the rent increase of 2.7% for housing rents, garages and service charges approved at the Full Council meeting on the 10 December 2024;

iv)         The Scale of Fees and Charges as set out in Appendix 4 be recommended to Full Council for approval;

v)           The Capital Schemes of the General Fund and HRA be recommended to Full Council for approval;

vi)         The MTFP for 2025/26 and 2029/30 as set out in Table 6 be recommended to Full Council to note; and

vii)        The S151 Officer’s statement on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves as set out in Section 13 of the report be recommended to Full Council to note.

For                  9

Against          3

Abstentions  0

Report of the Senior Finance Business Partner

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 54 – 101 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the Treasury Management Policy and Strategies and Prudential Indicators (2025/26).

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            That the Capital Strategy (2025/26) and Prudential Indicators (2024/25 – 2029/30) (as set out in Appendix 1) be approved;

ii)           That the Treasury Management Policy (2025/26) and Treasury Management Strategy (2025/26) & Treasury Management Indicators (2025/26 – 2029/30) (as set out in Appendices 2 & 3) be approved;

iii)         That the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (2025/26) (as set out in Appendix 4) be approved;

iv)         That the Investment Strategy (2025/26 – 2027/28) (as set out in Appendix 5) be approved; and

v)           That the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (2025/26) (as set out in Appendix 6) be approved.

Report of the Planning Policy and Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 102 – 122 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the revised Local Development Scheme (February 2025).

It was moved by Councillor L A Bentley, seconded by the Chair, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Local Development Scheme (February 2025) be approved.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 123 – 133 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q3 2024/25.

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.