Local democracy

Decision details

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE - BUDGET 2025/26

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

(i)            SECTION 151 OFFICER ASSESSMENT UNDER S25 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2003 OF THE COUNCIL'S FINANCIAL POSITION

 

Resolved –

 

(1)      That Council have regard to Executive Document “AX” in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that provided that:

 

·         the current and planned actions are successfully concluded ie that the emerging financial strategy is agreed and implemented in full;

 

·         the Government supports the Council with a “minded to” Capitalisation Direction and will agree to do so in future years;

 

·         the recommendations in this and the other budget reports are agreed and actioned in full;

 

·         reserves continue to be built up as required;

 

·         risks are properly and promptly managed;

 

·         financial management issues are successfully addressed;

 

then the overall estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set a balanced budget for 2025/26.

 

(2)       Council agreed:

 

·         that the level of general reserves be increased;

 

·         that there is accordingly no planned use of reserves to support the 2025/26 budget;

 

·         to implementation in full of the financial strategy ie that the Council:

 

·       identifies an estimated £50m of revenue savings for 2026/27 to 2029/30;

·       identifies £150m of assets to be sold to generate capital receipts, and investigates the potential for more;

·       undertakes a further review of the capital programme;

·       operates expenditure control panels as set out in the report until at least 2026/27;

·       continues with its review of financial management and finances of the Council;

·       invests in core functions necessary and subject to business

      cases;

 

·         any non-delivery of any planned revenue savings will need to be absorbed within cash limited Departmental budgets.


(3)       That Council noted:

 

·         the assessment of the current financial position of the Council;

 

·         that this assessment is the result of emerging and recent work.  The situation will change and the estimated financial position and solutions will require continual development and refinement and will likewise vary as the year progresses;

 

·         the s151 officer is not minded to issue a s114 notice at this point working on the basis that the above assumptions will be supported and seen through on time and in full;

 

·         given the extremely challenging financial situation the Council finds itself in, which it has in recent months started to address, if the recommendations are not agreed, or if the assumptions are not delivered as assumed then very serious consideration will be given to the issuing of a s114 notice;

 

·         as with all budgets there is the potential for amendments to be proposed/agreed which could change the overall package of proposals. In that respect, it should be highlighted that this statement would have to be amended if a decision was proposed that leads to the Council’s budget not being in balance.  In addition, any other amendments would be considered against the scale of the overall budget and depending upon the extent and nature, may result in a revised statement.

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                                

 

                                                               (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

 

 

(ii)          MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY (MTFS) 2025/26 TO 2029/30

 

Resolved –

 

That Council: 

 

(1)      Approved the updated Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and the base case deficit and recovery period; 

 

(2)      Agreed that revenue savings of £50m per annum be actioned

           each year from 2026/27 to 2029/30; 

 

(3)      Agreed that a target for capital receipts of £150m by 31/3/28 be set; 

 

(4)      Agreed that the capital programme be subject to continuous reviews and reductions where costs are funded from general fund borrowing; 

 

(5)      Agreed the continuous review of the financial management practices currently being undertaken; 

 

(6)      Noted the progress on the finance restructure and support the approach to this; 

 

(7)      Agreed the continued spending panel and related processes

until such time as the Council can evidence a sustainable

financial position; 

 

(8)       Noted the current work on the DSG, the likely Council forecast

           for this and agree that further work be undertaken; 

 

(9)       Noted the previously reported Improvement Plan.

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                                              

                                                                      (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

 

 

(iii)       CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN 2025-26 TO 2029-30

 

Resolved –

 

That Council: 

 

(1)       Approved the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators) as set out at Section A to Executive Document “AZ”.

 

(2)       Approved the capital expenditure for the General Fund and HRA as set out in Appendix D to Executive Document “AZ” for 2025-26 to 2029-30 subject to:

 

§        all future schemes being included in the Council approved Capital Programme;

§        all new schemes, including third party funded, only commencing with a full business case approved via PAG, CMT and the Executive and subject to being in the Capital Programme;

§        authority being given to the Director of Finance to allow specific exceptions to the approval process when in his opinion it is in the Council's interest. The Director of Finance will keep a record of these exceptions and report to Executive;

§        a further review of the capital programme and a report back to Executive; and

§        an update on the capital receipts potential (to include an update on the asset disposal strategy including accommodation and related assets strategy).

 

(3)       Approved the inclusion of the new capital requirements for 2025-26

            onwards as detailed in Appendix D to Executive Document “AZ” for inclusion in the programme and subject to the same as above.

 

(4)      Approved that all projects follow the approved business case              governance process as set out in section A5 of Executive                     Document “AZ”. Commitments against reserve schemes and    contingencies can only be made after a business case has

           Been assessed by Project Appraisal Group, CMT and approved

           by Executive.

 

(5)      That specific approval be given for the following schemes

           previously approved by Executive to commence following a

           detailed review by Project Appraisal Group:

 

§        The 2025-26 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £2m and this will be funded by £2m allocated in Reserve Schemes.

§        Stockbridge Depot Retaining Wall - £0.16m for structural repairs to a  section of a retaining wall. This scheme is funded from the general contingency budget.

§        Supeconnected Cities – £0.22m for two projects to implement public Wi-Fi along the Keighley Worth Valley Railway in the Worth Valley to address poor mobile coverage and additional Wi-Fi in the City Centre to support City of Culture events. These schemes are funded by grant from WYCA and are linked to scheme CS0266 already in the CIP.

 

(6)       Approved that no financing sources, unless stipulated in           regulations or necessary agreements, are ring fenced.

 

(7)       Approved the proposed financing of the capital programme and          revenue implications as set out in Executive Document “AZ”.

 

(8)       Delegated to the Director of Finance the decisions surrounding           financing of the capital programme to provide sufficient flexibility

           to allow for the most effective use of the Council’s resources.

 

(9)       Reasons for Decision

           

            The objectives of the CIP are to:

·         Prioritise and co-ordinate funding to achieve the Council’s Plan;

·         Ensure that capital resources are directed to maintain the Council’s statutory requirements across its asset base;

·         Invest in the most beneficial projects to meet Bradford’s long-term requirements; and

·         Manage investment effectively and efficiently.

 

The Council is required, under the CIPFA Prudential Code, to agree a capital strategy that is prudent and sustainable. The revenue budget is set as part of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), and this supports the financing of the capital programme set out in this report.

 

Capital expenditure is defined as expenditure that is predominantly incurred on buying, constructing or improving physical assets such as land, buildings, infrastructure and equipment.

 

The Council is required to set a balanced revenue budget, and the capital programme forms part of this overall process.

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                      

                                                                  (Lynsey Simenton – 07582 102779)

 

 

(iv)       TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT 2025-26

 

Resolved –

 

That Council: 

 

(1)       Approved the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 including:

·         the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2025/26 (Set out in Appendix 1 to Executive Document “BA”)

·         the Annual Investment Strategy for 2025/26 (Set out in Appendix 2 to Executive Document “BA”);

 

(2)        Approved the Prudential Indicators set out in the Treasury Management Strategy, which demonstrate that the Council’s short term    capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and sustainable (the     Prudential Indicators are summarised in Section  4). In the medium term work is required as reported in the S25 report; and

(3)       That any future loans to third parties to be charged at a minimum        interest rate to cover all the Council’s capital financing costs in       providing the loan, namely MRP and interest plus 1% for risk               (paragraph   89 of the TMS).

          Reason:

        To promote effective financial management relating to the Authority’s borrowing and investment powers contained in the Local Government      Act 2003, associated regulations and guidance including:

·         the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting)(England) Regulations 2003, as amended;

·         CIPFA Prudential Code and Treasury Management Code of Practice (2021 editions); and

·         MHCLG Statutory Guidance on Local Government Investments (2018) and Statutory Guidance on Minimum Revenue Provision (2024).

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                                    

                                                                  (Lynsey Simenton – 07582 102779)

 

 

(v)          THE COUNCIL'S REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR 2025/26 (GENERAL FUND)

 

Resolved –

 

(1)         That the Base Revenue Estimated Budget of £591.627m for

2025/26 be approved as set out in Appendix A to Executive Document “BB”.

 

     (2)     Noted the confirmation included in Appendix K to Executive                 Document “BB” of the in-principal capitalisation support for 2025/26 of      £127.104m by the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.

 

(3)       That within the Base Revenue Estimated Budget of £591.627m

           for 2025/26, the Directorate Net Expenditure Budgets be approved

           as set out in Appendix B to Executive Document “BB”.

 

(4)      That amounts for Growths and Pressures of £66.506m in 2025/26

           as set out in Appendix D to Executive Document “BB” be

           approved.

 

(5)       That amounts for Inflationary Uplifts to Directorate Net

           ExpenditureBudgets of £40.601m in 2025/26 as set out in

           Appendix E to ExecutiveDocument “BB” be approved.

 

(6)       That amounts for Historic Structure Issues relating

           Directorate Net Expenditure Budgets of £12.502m for 2025/26 as

           set out in Appendix F to Executive Document “BB” be approved.

 

(7)       That new savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £11.905m

           that have been subject to the Council’s Budget Consultation and        Engagement process as set out in Appendix G to Executive

           Document “BB” be approved.

 

(8)       That savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £11.002m as set out

           in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” that were approved in

           March 2024 Full Council are to be noted.

 

(9)      That the savings proposal for 2025/26 of £2.600m following a

           review of the Council’s Capital Programme as set out in Appendix

           G to Executive Document “BB” be approved.

 

(10)     That the two savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £0.500m

           as set out in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” which

           are subject to separate consultation be approved.

 

(11)     That savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £16.800m as set out

           in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” to be delivered

           by Bradford Children & Families Trust be noted.

 

(12)     That the comments of the Director of Finance set out in

Executive Document “AX" (Section 151 officer’s assessment of the proposed budgets on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of  reserves) taking account of the recommendations made at above be        noted.

 

(13)    That the consultation response outlined in Appendix I to Executive Document “BB” be noted.

 

 

DELEGATION TO OFFICERS

 

(14)     That the Chief Executive Officer be granted delegated authority

            to approve requests for time-limited investment based on

            the recommendation of the s151 Officer as supported by a

            business case.

 

(15)    That the Chief Executive Officer be granted delegated authority to

            approve requests to allocate items of growth held centrally to  directorates based on the recommendation of the s151 Officer as supported by a business case for the following items:

 

a.    estimated new burdens associated with the Extender Producer Responsibility: £5.928m.

b.    estimated new burdens associated with Children’s Social Care Prevention: £4.463m.

c.    estimated contract pressures associated with Homelessness Temporary Accommodation: £2m.

 

(16)    That for the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to any

           of the powers contained in Article 14 of Part 2 of the Council's             Constitution on the Function of Officers: The s151 Officer shall

           have   delegated authority to act on behalf of the Council on

           matters relating toCouncil Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and

           Accounts Receivable Debtors   including (without prejudice to the

           generality of the delegation) entry into any business rate pools,

           pilots, assessments, determinations, recovery, enforcement and,

           in accordance with the statutory scheme, full delegated powers to

           act on behalf of the Council with regard to all aspects of the

           granting of Discretionary and Hardship Rate Relief to       qualifying ratepayers.

 

 

HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT

 

(17)     Noted that a separate report will be presented on this

           agenda (Executive Document “BC”) to approve the

           recommendations to Council on the Housing Revenue Account

           budget and Business Plan for 2025/26.

 

 

PAYMENT DATES FOR COUNCIL TAX AND NATIONAL NON-DOMESTIC RATES

 

(18)    That the first instalment date for payment of National Non-                     Domestic Rates and Council Tax shall be specified by the s151

           Officer.

 

PROPOSED COUNCIL TAX 2025/26

 

(19)     That it be noted that the projected Council Tax base and                         expenditure forecasts outlined in Executive Document

           “BB” together with the 2025/26 resources and the budget

            variations approved in the recommendations above produce a

            proposed Band D Council Tax of £1,871.88 for 2024/25. This is a

            £170.02 (9.99%) increase from 2024/25 in line with the bespoke

            referendum limit approved for the Council by the Minister for

            Local Government and English Devolution.

 

COUNCIL TAX RESOLUTION 2025/26

 

(20)     It should be noted that on 7 January 2025, the Council calculated

           the Council Tax Base for2025/26. For the whole Council area as

           147,730 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local

           Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”]; and

 

(21)     That the only special items for 2025/26 under Section 35 of the

           Local Government Finance Act 1992 are local parish and town

           Council precepts and no expenses are to be treated as special

           expenses under Section 35(1) (b) of that Act.

 

(22)     That the Council Tax Requirement, excluding parish and town

           Council precepts, be calculated asfollows:

 

2025/26 Council Tax Resolution

Gross Expenditure

£1,588,069,800

Income

£1,307,621,500

Council Tax Requirement (inclusive of Parish & Town Precepts)

£280,448,300

Council Tax Base

147,730

Basic Amount of Council Tax

£1,898.38

Adjustment in Respect of Parish and Town Council Precepts

£26.50

Basic Amount Excluding Parish and Town Councils

£1,871.88

 


(23)     That the precepts of Parish and Town Councils are noted and

           the resulting Basic Council Tax amounts for particular areas of

           the Council be calculated as follows:

 

Parish or Town Council Area

Local Precept (£)

Council Tax Base

Parish or Town Council Tax (£)

Whole Area Council Tax (£)

Basic Council Tax Amount (£)

Addingham

116,700

1,787

65.3

1,871.88

1,937.18

Baildon

340,208

6,382

53.31

1,871.88

1,925.19

Bingley

245,705

8,789

27.96

1,871.88

1,899.84

Burley

302,290

3,182

95

1,871.88

1,966.88

Clayton

85,142

2,596

32.8

1,871.88

1,904.68

Cross Roads

48,657

1,019

47.75

1,871.88

1,919.63

Cullingworth

46,540

1,371

33.95

1,871.88

1,905.83

Denholme

55,440

1,232

45

1,871.88

1,916.88

Harden

63,225

849

74.47

1,871.88

1,946.35

Haworth with Stanbury

66,577

1,429

46.59

1,871.88

1,918.47

Ilkley

417,101

7,321

56.97

1,871.88

1,928.85

Keighley

1,279,090

15,461

82.73

1,871.88

1,954.61

Menston

146,102

2,519

58

1,871.88

1,929.88

Oxenhope

81,000

1,080

75

1,871.88

1,946.88

Sandy Lane

23,790

877

27.13

1,871.88

1,899.01

Shipley

221,260

4,784

46.25

1,871.88

1,918.13

Silsden

121,250

3,376

35.92

1,871.88

1,907.80

Steeton with Eastburn

99,475

1,806

55.08

1,871.88

1,926.96

Wilsden

118,000

1,787

66.03

1,871.88

1,937.91

Wrose

37,723

2,219

17.00

1,871.88

1,888.88

Total of all local precepts

3,915,275

69,866

 

 

 

 

 


(24)     Thatthe CouncilTax amountsfor dwellingsin different

           valuation bandsin respect ofthe Council’sbudget requirement,

           takinginto account Parish and Town Councils Precepts applicable

           to only part of the Council’s area, be calculated asfollows:

 

 

Band A (£)

Band B (£)

Band C (£)

Band D (£)

Band E (£)

Band F (£)

Band G (£)

Band H (£)

All parts of the Council’s area other than those below

1,247.91

1,455.90

1,663.88

1,871.88

2,287.85

2,703.82

3,119.79

3,743.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Parish and Town Council Areas Of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addingham

1,291.45

1,506.70

1,721.94

1,937.18

2,367.66

2,798.15

3,228.63

3,874.36

Baildon

1,283.46

1,497.37

1,711.28

1,925.19

2,353.01

2,780.83

3,208.65

3,850.38

Bingley

1,266.56

1,477.65

1,688.75

1,899.84

2,322.03

2,744.21

3,166.40

3,799.68

Burley

1,311.25

1,529.80

1,748.34

1,966.88

2,403.96

2,841.05

3,278.13

3,933.76

Clayton

1,269.79

1,481.42

1,693.05

1,904.68

2,327.94

2,751.20

3,174.47

3,809.36

Crossroads

1,279.75

1,493.05

1,706.34

1,919.63

2,346.21

2,772.80

3,199.38

3,839.26

Cullingworth

1,270.55

1,482.31

1,694.07

1,905.83

2,329.35

2,752.87

3,176.38

3,811.66

Denholme

1,277.92

1,490.91

1,703.89

1,916.88

2,342.85

2,768.83

3,194.80

3,833.76

Harden

1,297.57

1,513.83

1,730.09

1,946.35

2,378.87

2,811.39

3,243.92

3,892.70

Haworth with Stanbury

1,278.98

1,492.14

1,705.31

1,918.47

2,344.80

2,771.12

3,197.45

3,836.94

Ilkley

1,285.90

1,500.22

1,714.53

1,928.85

2,357.48

2,786.12

3,214.75

3,857.70

Keighley

1,303.07

1,520.25

1,737.43

1,954.61

2,388.97

2,823.33

3,257.68

3,909.22

Menston

1,286.59

1,501.02

1,715.45

1,929.88

2,358.74

2,787.60

3,216.47

3,859.76

Oxenhope

1,297.92

1,514.24

1,730.56

1,946.88

2,379.52

2,812.16

3,244.80

3,893.76

Sandy Lane

1,266.01

1,477.01

1,688.01

1,899.01

2,321.01

2,743.01

3,165.02

3,798.02

Shipley

1,278.75

1,491.88

1,705.00

1,918.13

2,344.38

2,770.63

3,196.88

3,836.26

Silsden

1,271.87

1,483.84

1,695.82

1,907.80

2,331.76

2,755.71

3,179.67

3,815.60

Steeton with Eastburn

1,284.64

1,498.75

1,712.85

1,926.96

2,355.17

2,783.39

3,211.60

3,853.92

Wilsden

1,291.94

1,507.26

1,722.59

1,937.91

2,368.56

2,799.20

3,229.85

3,875.82

Wrose

1,259.25

1,469.13

1,679.00

1,888.88

2,308.63

2,728.38

3,148.13

3,777.76

 

 

(25)     That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Police and Crime Commissioner and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

           (WYFRA) have notified their precepts tobe:

 

2025/26 Precept (£)

Band A (£)

Band B (£)

Band C (£)

Band D (£)

Band E (£)

Band F (£)

Band G (£)

Band H (£)

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

12,481,708

56.33

65.71

75.10

84.49

103.27

122.04

140.82

168.98

Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire

38,894,074

175.52

204.77

234.02

263.28

321.78

380.29

438.8

526.56

 


 

(26)     That having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts

           at (e) and (f) above, the Council sets the following amounts of

           council tax for 2025/26 in each of the categories of dwellings

           shownbelow:

 

 

Band A (£)

Band B (£)

Band C (£)

Band D (£)

Band E (£)

Band F (£)

Band G (£)

Band H (£)

All parts of the Council’s area other than those below

1,479.76

1,726.38

1,973.00

2,219.65

2,712.90

3,206.15

3,699.41

4,439.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Parish and Town Council Areas Of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addingham

1,523.30

1,777.18

2,031.06

2,284.95

2,792.71

3,300.48

3,808.25

4,569.90

Baildon

1,515.31

1,767.85

2,020.40

2,272.96

2,778.06

3,283.16

3,788.27

4,545.92

Bingley

1,498.41

1,748.13

1,997.87

2,247.61

2,747.08

3,246.54

3,746.02

4,495.22

Burley

1,543.10

1,800.28

2,057.46

2,314.65

2,829.01

3,343.38

3,857.75

4,629.30

Clayton

1,501.64

1,751.90

2,002.17

2,252.45

2,752.99

3,253.53

3,754.09

4,504.90

Crossroads

1,511.60

1,763.53

2,015.46

2,267.40

2,771.26

3,275.13

3,779.00

4,534.80

Cullingworth

1,502.40

1,752.79

2,003.19

2,253.60

2,754.40

3,255.20

3,756.00

4,507.20

Denholme

1,509.77

1,761.39

2,013.01

2,264.65

2,767.90

3,271.16

3,774.42

4,529.30

Harden

1,529.42

1,784.31

2,039.21

2,294.12

2,803.92

3,313.72

3,823.54

4,588.24

Haworth with Stanbury

1,510.83

1,762.62

2,014.43

2,266.24

2,769.85

3,273.45

3,777.07

4,532.48

Ilkley

1,517.75

1,770.70

2,023.65

2,276.62

2,782.53

3,288.45

3,794.37

4,553.24

Keighley

1,534.92

1,790.73

2,046.55

2,302.38

2,814.02

3,325.66

3,837.30

4,604.76

Menston

1,518.44

1,771.50

2,024.57

2,277.65

2,783.79

3,289.93

3,796.09

4,555.30

Oxenhope

1,529.77

1,784.72

2,039.68

2,294.65

2,804.57

3,314.49

3,824.42

4,589.30

Sandy Lane

1,497.86

1,747.49

1,997.13

2,246.78

2,746.06

3,245.34

3,744.64

4,493.56

Shipley

1,510.60

1,762.36

2,014.12

2,265.90

2,769.43

3,272.96

3,776.50

4,531.80

Silsden

1,503.72

1,754.32

2,004.94

2,255.57

2,756.81

3,258.04

3,759.29

4,511.14

Steeton with Eastburn

1,516.49

1,769.23

2,021.97

2,274.73

2,780.22

3,285.72

3,791.22

4,549.46

Wilsden

1,523.79

1,777.74

2,031.71

2,285.68

2,793.61

3,301.53

3,809.47

4,571.36

Wrose

1,491.10

1,739.61

1,988.12

2,236.65

2,733.68

3,230.71

3,727.75

4,473.30

 


 

(27)     That Council noted the movement in Band D equivalent charges

           for 2025/26 over 2024/25 as set out in the table below.

 

Council Tax Summary

2025/26 Band D Equivalent (£)

2024/25 Band D Equivalent (£)

Percentage Change

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council*

1,871.88

1,701.86

9.99%

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

84.49

79.49

6.29%

West Yorkshire Police Authority

263.28

249.28

5.62%

 

 

 

 

Local (Parish & Town Council) Precepts:

 

 

 

Addingham

65.30

61.55

6.09%

Baildon

53.31

50.26

6.07%

Bingley

27.96

27.75

0.76%

Burley

95.00

91.94

3.33%

Clayton

32.80

28.63

14.57%

Crossroads

47.75

45.61

4.69%

Cullingworth

33.95

37.50

-9.47%

Denholme

45.00

49.96

-9.93%

Harden

74.47

64.92

14.71%

Haworth etc

46.59

46.56

0.06%

Ilkley

56.97

55.12

3.36%

Keighley

82.73

74.57

10.94%

Menston

58.00

56.00

3.57%

Oxenhope

75.00

52.72

42.26%

Sandy Lane

27.13

17.98

50.89%

Shipley

46.25

40.22

14.99%

Silsden

35.92

38.15

-5.85%

Steeton/ Eastburn

55.08

51.10

7.79%

Wilsden

66.03

63.49

4.00%

Wrose

17.00

16.49

3.09%

 

*For 2025/26, the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council has been granted a bespoke referendum limit by the Minister of Local Government and English Devolution

 

COUNCIL TAX HARDSHIP

 

(28)     Approved and implement a £1.2m discretionary hardship scheme

           for 2025/26 for those of working age and in receipt of Council Tax

           Reduction and:

 

a)    Approved the CTR scheme from 2024/25 to be applied in 2025/26 pending prescribed amendments as required;

 

b)   Approved public consultation during 2025/26 to consider proposed amendments to the working age Council Tax Reduction scheme from 2026/27;

 

c)    Approved £0.500m per annum in 2025/26 and 2026/27 to augment welfare benefit and debt signposting and advice in the District.

 

(29)     That the Fees and Charges policy set out in Appendix J to

           Executive Document “BB”, be agreed.

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                                  

                                                              (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

 

 

 

(vi)        HRA 30-YEAR BUSINESS PLAN AND 2025/26 BUDGET 

 

Resolved –

 

That Council approved: 

 

(1)       The HRA revenue budget for 2025/26 (set out in Table 1 &                      Appendix A to Executive Document “BC”).

 

(2)       The HRA 5-year capital programme for a total of £3.975m (set out

            in Table 3 & Appendix C to Executive Document “BC”).

 

That Council noted:

 

(3)       The HRA 5-year revenue budgets for 2025-26 to 2029-30 (set out

           in Table 1 & Appendix A to Executive Document “BC”).

 

(4)       The HRA 30-year revenue budgets for 2025-26 to 2054-55 (set out

            in Appendix B to Executive Document “BC”).

 

(5)       The 30-year capital programme for 2025-26 to 2054-55 (set out

            in Appendix D to Executive Document “BC”).

 

(6)       The draft HRA reserves and balances for the 5-year business

           plan (set out in Appendix E to Executive Document “BC”).

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance / Strategic Director Place

 

                                                            (Ade Solanke – 07944 463762)

 

 

 

(vii)       ALLOCATION OF THE SCHOOLS' BUDGET 2025-26

 

Resolved –

 

That Council: 

 

(1)       Accepted and approved the proposals for the allocation of the

           2025/26 Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in Executive

           Document “BD”.

 

(2)       Approved the total amount of £825.337m to be appropriated in

           respect of     all schools covered by the Bradford Scheme for the

           Local Management of Schools, so as to establish the

           Individual Schools Budget for 2025/26.

 

To be actioned by: Director of Finance                      

 

                                                     (Andrew Redding 01274 432678)

 

 

Publication date: 12/03/2025

Date of decision: 06/03/2025

Decided at meeting: 06/03/2025 - Council

Accompanying Documents: