Councillors Latif and Hunt sent apologies for absence. Councillors Goddard and Djafari-Marbini sent apologies for a late arrival.

Councillors Henwood and Stares declared an interest in the line regarding the Littlemore Community Centre in the budget report. They said that they would leave the meeting during this discussion.

Councillor Malik declared an interest in agenda item 8.

Announcements by:

1.     The Lord Mayor

2.     The Sheriff

3.     The Leader of the Council (who may with the permission of the Lord Mayor invite other councillors to make announcements)

4.     The Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Monitoring Officer

The Lord Mayor noted that they would adjourn at 5:30 for members observing Ramadan to breakfast. She noted the date of the Lord Mayors Quiz and celebrated the achievement and recent award won by the communications team.

The Deputy Lord Mayor congratulated the communications team for their award. He noted his work at the One World Fair and the opportunity he’d had to give out awards to young musicians in the city.

The City Rector discussed the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ramifications of this violence. He commemorated those that had suffered in this invasion. He noted the upcoming anniversary of a poet from the seventeenth century and the importance of ordinary, good actions, particularly when they have local impacts.

Councillor Mundy arrived during this item at 17:06.

The procedure for this meeting, including timings for the debate on the Council’s budget, capital programme and medium term financial strategy as recommended by Cabinet, is set out in the Council’s Constitution at Part 11.4. Any amendments to the procedure must be agreed by majority vote and will only apply to this meeting.

Council noted the procedure and times permitted for each stage in the budget debate. The Lord Mayor noted that groups had agreed to have a thirty-minute break after the initial debate, for groups to propose further amendments. Cllr Turner seconded the acceptance of this amendment to the standing orders. Council voted and accepted this amendment to the standing orders for budget debate procedure.

Public addresses and questions to the Leader or other Cabinet member received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules at 11.4 in the Constitution relating to matters for decision in Part 1 of this agenda.

Up to five minutes is available for each public address.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address must be received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

The briefing note will contain the text of addresses submitted by the deadline, and written responses where available.

A total of 30 minutes is available for this item. Responses are included in this time.

Council received one address from a member of the public from Paul Wightman.

Hello, my name is Paul Wightman.

I’m here today as a director of Causing a Scene Ltd, which is a community- owned and run co-operative, set up by a diverse community of music fans, musicians, DJs, managers, producers, promoters, technicians, creatives and community leaders…

…to be the collective voice & champion of Oxfordshire’s music scene, and its associated culture.

Specifically, I’m here to support the introduction of the new Live Music Fund, which is outlined in the budget before you for consideration today.

Causing a Scene’s vision, is of a vibrant local music culture that’s diverse, resilient and deeply valued…

…not only for its creativity, but for the hugely positive role it plays in improving individual wellbeing, community cohesion and a sense of belonging… …and as a too-often overlooked multiplier of the local economy.

This city is the birthplace and home of extraordinary artists, venues and promoters that we can be rightly proud of.

Whether that’s the incredible, diverse talent that you can see performing at a grassroots level on a daily basis….. people who perform for the sheer love of creativity and community connection.

Or the artists that became famous and put us on the global culture map, such as: Radiohead, Ride, Supergrass, Glass Animals, Foals and Stornoway.

You may not be aware, but Oxford was recently crowned the UK’s rock music capital in terms of album chart and streaming success over the past 30 years, beating Manchester, Liverpool and London.

In a world where Berlin Techno has just been designated as an intangible global cultural asset by UNESCO, Oxford’s music heritage is a largely untapped asset that, with the right backing and strategy, could generate significant income and overnight stays for the local visitor economy.

Meanwhile, a new generation of diverse, up and coming artists, such as: South Arcade, Elmiene, Sammy Virji, Hamdi, and Artemas continue to blow up across the globe. Elmiene for instance, who came to Oxford as a 5 year-old Sudanese refugee, recently sold out the Brixton Academy, while Sammy Virji is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest DJs, and Artemas, in 2024, had the most globally successful single of any UK artist.

They all developed their craft at local grassroots music venues in this city. Venues which continue to act as the Research & Development centres of the next big Oxford export, in a UK music sector that generated over £8 billion for UKDP last year.

So with all this success you might be wondering why a new Live Music Fund is needed?

Across the UK, music and arts venues and artists, are facing existential threats, but in Oxford, there is a very specific additional, underlying challenge.

It’s a city with uniquely acute competition for physical space…. which, if left purely to commercial forces, without interventions from public bodies and the occasional benevolence of landlords and philanthropists…

…. means music, arts and community, inevitably lose out to student accommodation,

laboratories and boutique  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services has submitted a report to seek agreement on the licence fees for 2026/27 where the council has discretion over the level of fee charged, following recommendation from the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee on 9 February 2026.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

Council resolved to:

1.       Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services submitted a report to seek agreement on the licence fees for 2026/27 where the council has discretion over the level of fee charged, following recommendation from the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee on 9 February 2026.

Councillor Miles presented the report. She thanked the Licensing officers for their hard work in enforcement across the city. She discussed the statutory and legal responsibility they held as the Council to set these fees. She moved the report for resolution by the Council.

Councillor Mundy seconded the report.

Council resolved to:

1.           Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the Licensing and Gambling Acts Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

Councillor Djafari-Marbini arrived during this item at 17:21.

The Director of Planning and Regulation has submitted a report to seek agreement of the licence fees for 2026/27 where the Council has discretion over the level of fee charged, following recommendation at the General Purposes Licensing Committee on 9 February 2026.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Agree the Miscellaneous Licensing Fees and Charges for 2026/2027 recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee as set out in Appendix 1.

Council resolved to:

1.       Agree the Miscellaneous Licensing Fees and Charges for 2026/2027 recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee as set out in Appendix 1.

The Director of Planning and Regulation submitted a report to seek agreement of the licence fees for 2026/27 where the Council has discretion over the level of fee charged, following recommendation at the General Purposes Licensing Committee on 9 February 2026.

Councillor Muddiman presented the report. She outlined the charges for street traders and the law dictating how they set these fees and charges. She said that although this was an increase, officers had assured them that this was a fair and reasonable increase. She moved the report for Council resolution.

Councillor Rehman seconded the report.

Council resolved to:

1.           Agree the Miscellaneous Licensing Fees and Charges for 2026/2027 recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee as set out in Appendix 1.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services has submitted a report to seek agreement on the licence fees for 2026/27 where the council has discretion over the level of fee charged following recommendation from the General Purposes Licensing Committee on 9 February 2026.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

Council resolved to:

1.       Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

Councillors Malik and Arshad left the room for this item, due to declared interests.

The Deputy Chief Executive for City and Citizen Services submitted a report to seek agreement on the licence fees for 2026/27 where the council has discretion over the level of fee charged following recommendation from the General Purposes Licensing Committee on 9 February 2026.

Councillor Muddiman presented the report. She said that there were no increases to charges to many licenses this year and that the increases for road closures were minimal. She thanked the licensing officers for their work. She moved the report for Council resolution.

Councillor Rehman seconded the report.

Council resolved to:

1.           Agree the licence fees and charges for 2026/27 as recommended by the General Purposes Licensing Committee and as set out in Appendix 1.

Council broke for members observing Ramadan to breakfast after this item, at 17:26.

Under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 there is a requirement for the Council’s Chief Financial Officer to report to Council on:

a)    the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget; and

b)    the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

Council in considering its Budget should have regard to this advice.

Recommendation: That Council notes this report in setting its budget for 2026/27 and the indicative budgets for 2027/28 – 2029/30.

Council reconvened the meeting at 18:03. 

Councillor Morris arrived after the break at 18:03.

Council considered a report from the Group Finance Director, as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, on the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the calculations of the budget and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

The Group Finance Director presented the report. He outlined the context of his report and the bankruptcies which many local authorities in the country had recently faced. He noted the uncertainty caused by Local Government Reorganisation and the late arrival of the information regarding the funding from central government. Despite these issues, he said that they had set a four-year financial plan. He outlined the similarities between this and previous years’ budgets and the state of the Council’s reserves. The Group Finance Director discussed the risks posed by the Oxford model and its reliance on dividend payments from companies and fees. He said that from his analysis he believed that the reserves and income estimates were robust. He noted that if the Council failed to set the budget and council tax in the current meeting, it could have negative impacts on the Council’s billing.

Council noted the report in setting the Council budget for 2026/27 and the indicative budgets for 2027/28 – 2029/30.

Appendix 3 to this item includes exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If Council wishes to discuss matters relating to the information set out in Appendix 3 to the report, it will be necessary for Council to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting.

The Scrutiny and Governance Advisor has submitted a report of the Scrutiny Budget Review Group on the proposed budget., following endorsement at the Scrutiny Committee. The Chair of the Budget Review Group will present the report and recommendations.

Recommendation: Council is asked to note the recommendations of the Budget Review Group and Cabinet’s response.

Council considered the report and recommendations of the Budget Review Group of the Scrutiny Committee to the Cabinet meeting on 11 February 2026 and the Cabinet’s response.

Councillor Fry presented the report. He thanked the officers and committee members for their work on the budget. He summarised the main recommendations from the Budget Review Group and noted those which were and were not accepted by Cabinet. He outlined how the Budget Review Group had considered the context of Local Government Reorganisation and how the implications of this matter.

Councillor Turner said that they had a well practicing set of scrutiny arrangements which were adding value to their budget setting and review process. He thanked the officers and committee members for their time managing and reviewing the budget.

Council resolved to note the report and Cabinet’s responses to the recommendations.

The Group Finance Director has submitted a report to present the outcome of the budget consultation and approve the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2027-28 to 2029-30 and 2026-27 Budget.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Note the approval by Cabinet on 21 January 2026 and subsequently agreed by the Council on 26 January of an increase of 4.8% i.e. CPI+1% in line with the recent Government announcement referred to in paragraph 28 from 1st April 2026, giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in Appendix 5 based on a HRA budget as set out in Appendix 4;

2.    Approve the 2026-27 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets and the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendices 1-9, noting:

a)    the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £32.185 million for 2026/27 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £10.66 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £367.38 per annum; and

b)    the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 6;

3.    Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7;

4.    Confirm the Council Tax Base for 2026-27 of 48,725.2 as per paragraph 17 below and Appendices 11 and 12 attached.

Amendments submitted by opposition groups (proposers may speak for up to 10 minutes). These amendments must be received by Committee and Member Services by 1.00pm three working days (Tuesday, 17 February 2026) before the meeting. These proposals will be voted on as one amendment for each group.

Council resolved to:

1.       Note the approval by Cabinet on 21 January 2026 and subsequently agreed by the Council on 26 January of an increase of 4.8% i.e. CPI+1% in line with the recent Government announcement referred to in paragraph 28 from 1st April 2026, giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in Appendix 5 based on a HRA budget as set out in Appendix 4;

2.       Approve the 2026-27 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets and the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendices 1-9 and as amended, noting:

a)       the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement of £32.185 million for 2026/27 and an increase in the Band D Council Tax of 2.99% or £10.66 per annum representing a Band D Council Tax of £367.38 per annum; and

b)       the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 6;

3.       Agree the fees and charges shown in Appendix 7;

4.       Confirm the Council Tax Base for 2026-27 of 48,725.2 as per paragraph 17 below and Appendices 11 and 12 attached.

Council had before it and considered:

1.           The report of the Group Director Finance to Cabinet on 11 February 2026 setting out the outcome of the budget consultation and seeking agreement of the Council’s Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2027-28 to 2029-30.

2.           The Liberal Democrat Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

3.           The Green Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

4.           The Independent Oxford Alliance Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

5.           The Oxford Community Independents Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

6.           Two individual amendments from Councillor Dr. Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini published with the briefing note.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, presented the report and proposed Cabinet’s recommendations. Councillor Turner thanked the Council officers for their work on the budget. He noted the context of Local Government Reorganisation and the uncertainty which this caused for the Council. Despite this, they were pursuing a four-year plan, demonstrating the financial robustness of the Oxford City Council. He thanked the Council’s senior leaders and officers for their work and efforts to create a good working environment. He welcomed the additional funding for homelessness mitigation from the funding settlement from central government. He outlined their commitment to addressing the housing crisis in the city and to the Oxford living wage. He said that they were proposing funding for new community wardens and the free collection of bulky waste for all Oxford residents. Councillor Turner said that they budget also proposed further verge cuttings and improvements to the investments of the gritting of cycle paths. He outlined the other proposals the budget was making to fund and improve many areas of life for the city and its residents. Noting Nigel’s upcoming retirement, Councillor Turner thanked Nigel Kennedy, the Group Finance Director, for his tireless work to lead the finances of the City Council for years and expressed that Nigel would be sorely missed.

Councillor Brown, Leader of the Council, seconded the budget proposal for Council resolution.

a)             Alternative budget proposals – The Liberal Democrat Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

Councillor Smowton presented the amendments. Councillor Smowton, seconded by Councillor Katharine Miles, moved the Liberal Democrat Group’s amendments.

Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (24), than for (7), and 12 abstentions, the Liberal Democrat Group’s amendments were not carried.

b)             Alternative budget proposals – The Green Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

Councillor Jarvis presented the amendments and noted a change to the amendments’ wording. Councillor Jarvis, seconded by Councillor Powell, moved the Green Group’s amendments.

Following debate, these were put to the vote.

With more Councillors voting against (23), than for (8), and 12 abstentions, the Green Group’s amendments were not carried.

c)             Alternative budget proposals – The Independent Oxford Alliance Group’s submitted amendments published with the briefing note.

Councillors Henwood and Stares left the room at 19:34 for the discussion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to provide the necessary calculations to enable the Council to set the 2026/27 Council Tax for Oxford.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £18,191,281 including Parish Precepts and £17,900,664 excluding Parish Precepts.

2.    Approve the average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £367.38, a 2.99% increase on the 2025/26 figure of £356.72. Including Parish Precepts, the figure is £373.34, a 3.00% increase, noting that this is not the figure that is used to compare to the referendum limit (as set out in paragraphs 2 to 8 of the report).

3.    Approve a contribution of £10,000 to Old Marston Parish Council in recognition of the additional expenditure that the Parish Council incurs as a consequence of maintaining the cemetery in Marston (as set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report).

4.    Approve the amount of £773,943 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 15 of the report).

5.    Approve the Band D Council Tax for the various areas of the city (excluding the Police and Crime Commissioner and Oxfordshire County Council’s precepts) as follows:

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £351.50.

6.    Note Oxfordshire County Council’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 19 below

7.    Note the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 20 below, and

8.    Note the overall average Band D equivalent Council Tax is £2,678.40 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for Oxfordshire County Council).

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £18,191,281 including Parish Precepts and £17,900,664 excluding Parish Precepts.

2.       Approve the average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £367.38, a 2.99% increase on the 2025/26 figure of £356.72. Including Parish Precepts, the figure is £373.34, a 3.00% increase, noting that this is not the figure that is used to compare to the referendum limit (as set out in paragraphs 2 to 8 of the report).

3.       Approve a contribution of £10,000 to Old Marston Parish Council in recognition of the additional expenditure that the Parish Council incurs as a consequence of maintaining the cemetery in Marston (as set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report).

4.       Approve the amount of £773,943 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 15 of the report).

5.       Approve the Band D Council Tax for the various areas of the city (excluding the Police and Crime Commissioner and Oxfordshire County Council’s precepts) as follows:

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £351.50.

6.       Note Oxfordshire County Council’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 19 below

7.       Note the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 20 below, and

8.       Note the overall average Band D equivalent Council Tax is £2,678.40 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for Oxfordshire County Council).

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to provide the necessary calculations to enable the Council to set the 2026/27 Council Tax for Oxford.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, proposed and Councillor Brown seconded the recommendations in the report.

In accordance with legislative requirements, a recorded vote was then taken:

For the 2026/27 Council Tax for Oxford:

Councillors

Arshad, Brown, Chapman, Clarkson, Corais, Diggins, Fry, Fouweather, Gant, Goddard, Harley, Henwood, Hollingsworth, Jarvis, Jupp, Lygo, Miles, Morris, Muddiman, Mundy, Munkonge, Ottino, Powell, Pressel, Qayyum, Railton, Rawle, Regisford, Robinson, Rowley, Linda Smith, Roz Smith, Smowton, Taylor, Turner, Upton, Waite, Yeatman

Against the Cabinet recommendations to Council:

Azad, Malik, Stares

Abstentions:

Rehman

With more Councillors voting for than against, the recommendations were carried.

Council resolved in accordance with the recorded vote to:

1.    Approve the Council’s precept and Council Tax requirement of £18,191,281 including Parish Precepts and £17,900,664 excluding Parish Precepts.

2.    Approve the average Band D Council Tax figure (excluding Parish Precepts) of £367.38, a 2.99% increase on the 2025/26 figure of £356.72. Including Parish Precepts, the figure is £373.34, a 3.00% increase, noting that this is not the figure that is used to compare to the referendum limit (as set out in paragraphs 2 to 8 of the report).

3.    Approve a contribution of £10,000 to Old Marston Parish Council in recognition of the additional expenditure that the Parish Council incurs as a consequence of maintaining the cemetery in Marston (as set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report).

4.    Approve the amount of £773,943 to be treated as Special Expenses (see paragraph 15 of the report).

5.    Approve the Band D Council Tax for the various areas of the city (excluding the Police and Crime Commissioner and Oxfordshire County Council’s precepts) as follows:

These figures include Parish Precepts and special expensing amounts as appropriate; in addition to the City Wide Council Tax of £351.50.

6.    Note Oxfordshire County Council’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 19 below

7.    Note the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley’s precept and Band D Council Tax is as set out in paragraph 20 below, and

8.    Note the overall average Band D equivalent Council Tax is £2,678.40 including Parish Precepts (subject to confirmation of the Band D figures for Oxfordshire County Council).

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to approve the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 to 2029/30, following recommendation from Cabinet.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 as set out in paragraphs 11 to 56 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 – 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    Approve the Borrowing Strategy 2026/27 at paragraphs 32 to 33 of this report;

3.    Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at Appendix 3 which sets out the Council’s policy on charging borrowing to the revenue account;

4.    Approve the Investment Strategy for 2026/27 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 37 to 55 of this report and in Appendix 1;

5.    Approve the Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 4

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 as set out in paragraphs 11 to 56 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 – 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.       Approve the Borrowing Strategy 2026/27 at paragraphs 32 to 33 of this report;

3.       Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at Appendix 3 which sets out the Council’s policy on charging borrowing to the revenue account;

4.       Approve the Investment Strategy for 2026/27 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 37 to 55 of this report and in Appendix 1;

5.       Approve the Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 4

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to approve the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 together with the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 to 2029/30, following recommendation from Cabinet.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, proposed and Councillor Brown seconded the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Turner responded to questions on the report from Councillors Mundy, Miles, and Smowton.

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 as set out in paragraphs 11 to 56 of this report and the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 – 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 2;

2.    Approve the Borrowing Strategy 2026/27 at paragraphs 32 to 33 of this report;

3.    Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement at Appendix 3 which sets out the Council’s policy on charging borrowing to the revenue account;

4.    Approve the Investment Strategy for 2026/27 and the investment criteria as set out in paragraphs 37 to 55 of this report and in Appendix 1;

5.    Approve the Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Appendix 4

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to approve the Capital Strategy, following recommendation from Cabinet.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Capital Strategy attached at Appendix 1.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Capital Strategy attached at Appendix 1.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to approve the Capital Strategy, following recommendation from Cabinet.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, proposed and Councillor Brown seconded the recommendations in the report.

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the Capital Strategy attached at Appendix 1.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27. To note that the current 2025/26 scheme has been through a public consultation and the proposed changed are reviewed with an Equality Impact Assessment.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the change to the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme to the income bandings in accordance with Option 2 listed at paragraphs 32-37 within the report.

2.    Delegate authority to the Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the change to the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme to the income bandings in accordance with Option 2 listed at paragraphs 32-37 within the report.

2.       Delegate authority to the Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27. To note that the current 2025/26 scheme has been through a public consultation and the proposed changed are reviewed with an Equality Impact Assessment.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, proposed and Councillor Brown seconded the recommendations in the report.

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the change to the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme to the income bandings in accordance with Option 2 listed at paragraphs 32-37 within the report.

2.    Delegate authority to the Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) to draft the details of the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27