Issue - meetings

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, Councillor B Mickelburgh to present for approval –

? The 2026/27 Budget

v  The 2026/27 – 2029/30 Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 2b

v  The Band D Council Tax rate for Huntingdonshire at £170.86, representing a £5 (3.01%) increase to the current charge

v  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2027/28 to 2029/30, Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy and the Treasury Management Strategy

v  The Formal Resolution to determine the Council Tax as set out in Appendix 8

v  Endorsement of the statement of the Section 151 Officer on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves as set out in Appendix 9

? The Fees and Charges Schedule for 2026/27 as set out in Annex B1 and B2

In accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Act (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the Council will be asked to resolve that a recorded vote be taken on conclusion of the debate on this item.

The reports were considered by the Cabinet at their meeting on 10th February 2026 and it was agreed that they should be recommended to Council for approval.

(The Leader of the Opposition will have a right of reply).

15 Minutes Presentation

45 Minutes Debate and Questions

In conjunction with a report by the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources and a PowerPoint presentation (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), Councillor B A Mickelburgh, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources presented to Members the 2026/27 Budget, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2027/28 to 2030/31, the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2026/27, the Treasury Management Strategy, the Capital Strategy, the Investment Strategy, the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2026/27 and other associated matters for the Council’s consideration and approval.

In accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Finance Act 1992, the Council also considered proposals for levels of Council Tax in 2026/27 for various parts of Huntingdonshire District.

By way of introduction, the Executive Councillor introduced the report, confirmed that the Section 151 Officer was satisfied with the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves and reflected upon the previous four years of the administration.

Councillor A R Jennings proposed that the amendment as published alongside the agenda and presented to members (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), be moved and reserved his right to speak. This amendment, was then presented to the Chamber, following which it was seconded by Councillor R Martin.

The ensuing debate related to the proposed amendment, during which, Councillor B S Chapman observed that the proposed amendment included a free first hour of car parking but reflected that the Council had previously implemented a parking strategy which encouraged a longer dwell time in order to benefit High Streets and local businesses and that due to the location of many town centre carparks the impacts of this carparking amend would be minimal.

Councillor B Mickelburgh observed that the proposed amendment had some attractive sounding propositions but would not be sustainable, particularly in the uncertain future of LGR. He noted in particular that the garden bin waste subscription service was paying for itself and that any freezes to the Council Tax would have a lasting impact on the MTFS to the detriment of public services.

The Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce, Councillor L Davenport-Ray, agreed with the comments made by Councillor Mickelburgh and stated that she was note prepared to leave a legacy of underfunded budget assumptions which would create an obvious and predictable deficit in year one. She further commented that the proposed amendments effects on staff pay threatened the morale of Council officers and were insensitive particularly in the current period of uncertainty of the shadow of LGR.

Councillor P J Hodgson-Jones spoke in support of the amendment and focused his debate on the proposed changes to carparking, noting that they would be of benefit to the whole district and sought to increase footfall for town centre businesses, which in turn would increase the desirability of those locations and result an increased income from related Business Rates. He concluded by summarising that the amendment would seek to lower costs to residents, thereby improving the lives  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71

To receive a report from the Corporate Director - Finance and Resources on the final 2025/26 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (2026/27 to 2029/30) including the capital programme prior to its consideration by the Council.

Executive Councillor: B Mickelburgh.

The Cabinet has recommended to Council the approval of the overall Final Budget 2025/26 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report submitted which includes the Revenue Budget at Section 2 and the Capital Programme at Section 3.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Corporate Director – Finance and Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were apprised with details of the Final Budget 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (2026/27 to 2029/30).

By way of background, the Corporate Director – Finance and Resources reported that the final Government settlement figure had now been received and that this would not make a material difference to the overall budget proposals. Furthermore, it was reported that the Quarter 3 Finance Performance Report had also been included as an appendix to the report and that funding remained available within the Council’s reserves in anticipation of work arising from the Government’s White Paper proposals on Local Government Reorganisation. Reference was also made to the budget planning principles, the legal requirement for the Council to propose a balanced budget which had resulted in a small drawdown from earmarked reserves, the impact of National Insurance contribution changes and the statement made by the Corporate Director – Finance and Resources as Section 151 Officer on the robustness of the proposed final budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, including the Capital Programme.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources then drew attention to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) where questions had been raised and responded to at the meeting relating to the Local Government Settlement, the Council’s approach to budget setting, a property within the Commercial Investment Strategy, the proposed increase in parking fees after the expected implementation of Civil Parking Enforcement and wage growth proposals which had been included within the budget.

Referring to the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth) relating to proposed changes to car parking charges, the Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Waste and Street Scene stated that a holistic approach to this must be adopted once Civil Parking Enforcement was in place with a view to reviewing occupancy levels across each car parking site, options for introducing parcel lockers and reviewing the scale of fees at each site against its competitors. All of these factors should be considered as part of the Council’s review of its car parking strategy. The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources responded that it would be timely to review the Council’s car parking strategy now that the timeframes for Civil Parking Enforcement were known. He also reminded the Cabinet that the car parks were also subject to business rates and expressed the view that the strategy would need to balance outcomes for residents.

In concurring with the comments which had been raised in respect of the Council’s approach to reviewing car parking charges, the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce commented upon the need for the Council to focus its efforts on reducing overall net expenditure. Having commended Officers for their hard work in producing a balanced budget in 2025/26 and for their efforts with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Capital Programme, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet recommend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61

The Panel is invited to comment on the 2025/26 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (2026/27 to 2029/30) including the Capital Programme.

Executive Cllr: B Mickelburgh

By means of a report by the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the 2025/26 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (2026/27 to 2029/30) including the Capital Programme was presented to the Panel.

The Panel heard that the provisional Local Government Settlement had been released in December, and that no significant changes were anticipated with the release of the final Local Government Settlement this week. It was noted that some additional monies would be made available to Councils who were experiencing significant increases to the charges made to them by Internal Drainage Boards, however it was not felt that this would make a material difference to Huntingdonshire District Council. It was also advised to the Panel that HDC’s response to the provisional Settlement had been made by the Section 151 Officer as part of the response from the Society of District Councils Treasurers.

Following an enquiry on how the approach to budget setting by the Executive Councillor had changed over the past three years and how the budget setting was managed, the Panel heard that the budget process had evolved in recent years with more onus on services to work with their Executive Councillors to manage the process throughout the year. The Executive Councillor confirmed that he took more of a governance role in budget setting and oversaw the robustness overall whilst leaving the detail to portfolio holders and officers.

In response to an enquiry relating to the Stonehill property within the Commercial Investment Strategy, the Panel heard that the property was undergoing repairs and would be placed back onto the rental market, it was confirmed that this was being actively managed by the estates team.

Concern was expressed over the proposed increase in parking fees being after the expected implementation of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) within the district. The Panel heard that the introduction of CPE was expected to affect the current car park income but that the approach detailed within the budget was an inflationary increase to support a prudent approach. It was suggested, that this would be an opportune time to review the existing parking strategy to ensure consistency across the district before CPE comes into force.

It was noted that wage growth for the proposed budget had been budgeted at 4%. The Panel also heard that this was a prudent budget based on what was known at the moment, it was noted that there were differing predictions from economic forecasters and therefore a medium of these had been used within the proposals. It was further noted that as capital spend was to be expected over the coming year, the budget looked to balance all factors to provide a sensible way forward.

It was clarified to the Panel, that following a recent restructure of Heads of Service, the proposed budget followed the new structure.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58