Agenda item

To consider the Cabinet recommendations in relation to the General Fund Budget Estimates 2025/26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30; the Council Tax levels for 2025/26; the Capital Programme 2025/26-2027/28; and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Capital Strategy and Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2025/26.

Members considered the Corporate Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy report presented by Councillor Boden. 

Councillor Boden thanked officers within the Finance Team for their work in this most difficult budget process, particularly given the news about local government reorganisation. As a result, the figures produced are vastly different to those set out in December because the Council now faces a fundamental change. Many projects that the Council would once have aspired to undertake gradually when they could have been afforded, have now been incorporated into the new Fenland Inspire! Project. Without this project all these opportunities will be lost because they will not happen under a new unitary authority, and furthermore some of the things that currently exist, such as the leisure centres, will be lost if no action is taken now. Much of the money put forward for inclusion in the project is for leisure facilities, specifically the four leisure centres. It is essential to ensure they are in the best possible condition physically and financially to protect their existence when they are taken over by the new authority. Fenland Inspire! is therefore a massive commitment and Councillor Boden proceeded to run through the list of proposed projects. He thanked members and portfolio holders who had provided him with a list of suggestions of what could be included, particularly Councillor Sennitt Clough who put forward a list of arts and culture schemes and Councillor Hay who lobbied strongly for a swimming pool in Chatteris.

Councillor Sennitt Clough thanked Councillor Boden for taking forward members’ suggestions.

Councillor Tierney said this is a sensible and prudent response given the situation the Council is in. He has always argued that it is up to the Council to take difficult decisions and not pass them onto the public, it is an idea that all members share. Residents are already taxed enough and this is good news.

Councillor Nawaz said he was grateful to hear that the Station Road recreation ground has been spared and thanked the residents of Whittlesey who generated the petition and spread the message. He asked if more provision could be made for children’s play equipment in local parks as open spaces are needed for physical and mental well-being.

Councillor Booth stated that he supports the proposals and is glad to hear that there will be a review of playground equipment, having asked for this back in 2019. Along with other rural areas, Murrow is in dire need for an upgrade and time is now of the essence. His concern is the Medium-Term financial forecast and future years deficits and would like assurances that these will be dealt with considering this Council still has three years of existence and it is a legal requirement to have a balanced budget.

Councillor Miscandlon said he supports the project; this is future proofing and will benefit all the residents of Fenland.

Councillor Boden thanked members for their comments and agreed the value of play areas in rural areas, noting that towns do tend to have more facilities. He added that the Medium-Term Financial Strategy shows the challenge ahead, but he would be disappointed if the outturn does not show a better figure.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Miscandlon and AGREED that:

(i)           the General Fund revenue budget for 2025/26 as set out in Section 9 of the report and Appendix A be approved.

(ii)          the Medium-Term Financial Strategy as outlined in the report and Appendix B be adopted.

(iii)        the Capital Programme and funding statement as set out in Appendix D be approved.

(iv)        the adoption of the additional Business Rates Relief measures as detailed in Section 7 using Discretionary Relief Powers be approved.

(v)          the expenses detailed in Section 12 be approved to be treated as general expenses for 2025/26.

(vi)        the Port Health levy for 2025/26 be set out as shown in Section 13.

(vii)       the current working age Council Tax Support Scheme be adopted with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in Section 15, with appropriate changes to the prescribed pensioner scheme as determined by regulations.

(viii)     the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy (including amending the MRP calculation to be based on the ‘Annuity method’ from 2024/25 onwards), Treasury Investment Strategy, Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2025/26 and Capital Strategy 2025/26 as set out in Section 16 and Appendix E be approved.

(ix)        the Band D Council Tax level for Fenland District Council services for 2025/26 be set at £254.79, no change on the current year.

The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 impose an obligation on Local Authorities (after 25 February 2014) to record all votes on decisions on budget and council tax, with this in mind Members voted on this item as follows:

In favour of the proposal: Councillors Barber, Benney, Boden, Booth, Carney, Christy, J Clark, S Clark, Cutler, Mrs Davis, Foice-Beard, Mrs J French, K French, Gowler, Hicks, Hoy, Humphrey, Imafidon, Mrs Laws, Marks, Meekins, Miscandlon, Mockett, Murphy, Nawaz, Patrick, Purser, Roy, Seaton, Sennitt Clough, Summers, Taylor, Tierney, Woollard

Against the proposal: None

Abstentions: None