Agenda item

Please note:  this report contains two exempt appendices, and the press and public will need to be excluded if the Panel is minded to refer to the exempt appendices. 

Report of Chief Officer – Resources. (report published on 5.2.26). 

Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member with Responsibility, has been invited to attend for this item. 

The Panel received a report to Cabinet from the Chief Finance Officer that set out the latest position in respect of the Budget and Policy Framework and Cabinet’s proposed General Fund revenue budget for 2026/27. 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows: 

Revenue Budget

Council may adjust its revenue budget proposals, so long as the overall budget for 2025/26 balances and fits with the proposed Council Tax level. 

Other Budget Framework Matters (Reserves and Provisions)

Given known commitments, risks, and Council Tax restrictions there is little flexibility in financial terms, but Council could consider different budget strategies to be appraised for future years, or alternative arrangements for approving the use of various reserves, or different virement and/or carry forward limits. Overall, however, previous arrangements have worked reasonably well, and so no other fundamental changes are proposed. 

Section 151 Officer’s Comments and Advice

Council is required to note this formally in the minutes of the meeting; hence it is reflected in the recommendations. 

Depending on the nature of any alternative proposals put forward, Officers may need time to assess the risks and implications. This is to ensure that relevant considerations are taken into account, to support informed and lawful decision making. 

OFFICER PREFERRED OPTION (AND COMMENTS)

Revenue Budget 2026/27 and Reserves Position

To agree the recommendations as presented as the proposals to be put forward by Cabinet should fit with any external constraints and the budgetary framework already approved. The recommendations as set out meet these requirements; the detailed supporting budget proposals are then a matter for Members. 

Members of the Panel askeda number of questions at the meeting.  Arising from discussions the Panel was informed that, with regard to UKSPF funding, the Programme Management Office had been transferred to Blackpool Council with responsibility for oversight, reporting and programme coordination across all Lancashire districts.  Clarification was requested to be sought regarding what relationships have been built since the arrangements have been made and what steps are being taken with Blackpool Council to ensure funding applications are facilitated.  The Panel agreed that this issue required further investigation and clarification and that further enquiries be made with the district councils representatives on the Lancashire Combined County Authority. 

Referring to the report with regarding to Fit for the Future the issue of growing venue income was raised and also the increase in costs of staffing and maintenance.  It was felt that it would be helpful if the Panel could be provided with details on council commercial venue income at a future meeting in order to demonstrate outcomes.  The Cabinet Member advised that this information would be provided at the July meeting of the Panel as part of the Outturn report. 

During questions a request was made to exclude the press and public in order that the information contained within the exempt appendices could be discussed.  Councillor Hamish Mills proposed the exclusion seconded by Councillor Sue Penney and this was agreed unanimously. 

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting to enable the Panel to consider Appendices C1 and C2 to the report, on the grounds that the information provided could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

Resolved: -

(1)        That the report be noted. 

(2)        That the items raised, outlined above, be added to the Panel’s Work Programme. 

At this point the press and public were readmitted to the meeting.