Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the revised General Fund Budget and Capital Programme for 2025/26; the Draft General Fund Budget Estimates 2026/27 and the Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31 for consultation, and the Capital Programme 2026/27 – 2028/29.

AGREED that:

(i)            The revised General Fund Budget and revised Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(ii)          The draft budget proposals for 2026/27 outlined in this report be approved for consultation.

(iii)         The proposed Capital Programme for 2026/27 – 2028/29 be approved.

Members considered the Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 report presented by Councillor Boden.

·         Councillor Hoy said that if Fenland District Council ceases to exist from April 2028, does that mean there will be a massive cost in its final year? Councillor Boden replied that there may be some termination costs, but these will likely be passed on to the new unitary authority; a few may lie with FDC but all future assets, liabilities etc. will be passed on.

·         Councillor Tierney commented that other councils are in all sorts of financial distress, and he wonders if people realise that quietly in the background, FDC is a sound, stable and steady council thanks to the Leader and fantastic work of officers who do not get the credit they deserve. FDC has frozen its portion of council tax for the last nine years but is still doing new things every year with a sound budget. It is sad that Local Government Reorganisation might put an end to that, but this council should be proud of what has been achieved so far.

·         Councillor Boden said FDC has always recognised it is using taxpayers’ money which is why so much care is taken with it and does not spend on politically correct items or in telling people how wonderful it is. That is also why he set up a budget equalisation reserve, which was to work as hard as possible to keep council tax down. Rather than spend any surplus it was put into the reserve against council tax in future years. 

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

(i)           The revised General Fund Budget and revised Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(ii)          The draft budget proposals for 2026/27 outlined in this report be approved for consultation.

(iii)        The proposed Capital Programme for 2026/27 – 2028/29 be approved.

(Councillors Boden and Seaton declared that they are trustees of FACT but will consider the item with an open mind).