Decision details

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)  acknowledged the ongoing progress being made to address the funding gap for 2026/27;

(b)  endorsed the latest position regarding the developing 2026/27 Budget and MTFP position;

(c)  noted the update on the conversation with government around the impact that the DSG deficit is having on the financial sustainability of the council; and

(d)  continue to express concern to government at the existential challenge to the Councils ability to set a legally balanced budget for 2026/27 posed by having the lack of cash to fund the special educational needs and disability service (SEND);

(e)  Request the Leader and CEO to write to the Ministers for Education and Local Government to demand a meeting to resolve how BCP finances the DSG deficit in such a way as the Councils general fund is not affected

(f)    Ask BCPs local MP’s to write in support of the above at ‘e’.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To comply with accounting codes of practice and best practice which requires councils to have a rolling multi-year medium term financial plan.

To provide Cabinet with the latest high-level overview of the 2026/27 Budget and 3-year medium-term financial plan.

To provide an update on the letters submitted to MHCLG in July 2025 regarding the difficulties presented by the accumulating DSG deficit.

The reason for the additional recommendations at ‘e’ and ‘f’, was the serious concerns of the Cabinet regarding the DSG deficit and ongoing cashflow issues to fund the deficit position interest which had now reached £6million.