Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026-27 to 2028-29 Fees and Charges and Consultation Outcomes including Worcestershire Regulatory Services Budget Recommendations for members consideration.
The report covered several areas as detailed below:
It was explained that this was Stage One of the Budget setting process with the final stage of approval due to take place in late February or early March 2026 once the Local Government Settlement was confirmed. There had also been some delays experienced for Worcestershire County Council who had proposed to agree their Budget later than anticipated.
It was reported that there would be discussions with all Groups individually and at Finance and Budget Working Group meetings in order for all Members to have the opportunity to contribute to the Budget Setting process, whilst recognising the challenging time frame along with the work that had to be undertaken.
Members were reminded that when considering the initial Budget in November 2025 it was reported that there was £1.03 million deficit for 2026/2027, £399,000 deficit for 2027/2028 and additional pressures emerging for 2028/2029.
The provisional Local Government Settlement confirmed a net reduction in core spending for Bromsgrove of £100,000 for 2026/2027, £500,000 for 2027/2028 and £900,000 for 2028/2029. This net reduction would be offset by half a million pounds in respect of traditional funding driven by the fairer funding review which redistributed resources based on assessed need and consolidated multiple grants.
Members were informed that there were several key pressures as follow:
There had been some changes in terms of grant funding. It was reported that the New Homes Bonus funding had been scrapped and housing related grants consolidated.
Work streams currently underway by Officers were that contracts and recharges were being reviewed, rationalising support services and preparing for LGR.
In terms of Fees and Charges, the initial assumption had been a two per cent increase which equated to £100,000. However, following a detailed review of projected income levels of individual fees and charges, the uplift was now a further £152,000 in 2026/2027 and £153,000 ongoing from 2027/2028.
The Budget consultation outcomes were presented to Members. It was explained that the consultation was conducted from 20th November 2025 to 2nd January 2026.
There had been 223 completed surveys analysed which was lower than in the previous year when there had been 279 responses received. It was noted that there had been at least one response from every area within the District.
The top themes as detailed in the responses were infrastructure (roads, public amenities public transport), the impact of development, Bromsgrove Town Centre and supporting businesses. Most responses received agreed with the Fees and Charges rise of four per cent and nearly sixty per cent of respondents agreed with an increase of Council Tax of 1.9 per cent.
There were no changes in terms of the Capital Programme from papers considered previously.
Following the presentation of the report several areas were discussed in detail:
· Covid -19 Grant – Members were concerned that this was still being held in Reserves and whether the funding should be allocated to those services and businesses that required help, such as the hospitality sector.
· Garden Waste Fees and Charges Increase at 7% - Members were concerned that there was not robust oversight in terms of keeping correct records on whether residents had paid for the Garden Waste Service. It was raised that in some areas not all brown bins had been paid for but were being collected and some that had been paid for were not collected. Officers undertook to look at this matter further.
· Accessibility Update for Upland Grove Play Area – It was requested that information be provided on the Capital Bid discussed at the previous meeting of Council. Members were reminded that there was an Inclusive Play Policy which had recently been approved and was in the process of being implemented. The Play Audit Strategy would also be implemented once there had been a resolution for staffing in this service area. Members stated that as part of the consultation on the Budget, residents expressed that play areas and green spaces were important to them and this should be noted. It was raised that there had not been much movement in terms of works carried out so far in terms of the ten-year programme contained within the Strategy. It was felt that these works should get underway as soon as possible particularly in light of LGR.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor S. T. Nock and seconded by Councillor K. May.
RESOLVED that
1) Members take account of any feedback from the Consultation on the Budget 2026/27.
2) Members endorse the further work / proposals being undertaken on the Medium-Term Financial Plan to produce a balanced position for 2026/27 – 2028/29 including the initial set of savings proposals and pressures including fees and charges increases.
3) the recommended increases relating to Worcestershire Regulatory Services of £25,000 for 2027/28 and £59,000 for 2028/29 be approved.
4) the updated three-year capital programme 2026/27 – 2028/29 along with available funding for further capital projects to be undertaken going forward and the proposed projects for funding along with revenue implications.
(During consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that it might include information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). However, there is no exempt information contained in this record).
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