Issue - meetings

This report:

·      Aims to ensure the council presents a robust legally balanced 2026/27 budget.

·      Highlights the significant amount of uncertainty at this time caused by fluctuations in the predicted outcome of the governments Fair Funding Formula review.

·      Provides an update on the implications of the November local government finance policy statement, alongside the Chancellor’s 26 November National Budget.

·      Presents an update on the latest assumed MTFP position of the council.

·      Includes updates in respect of the existential threat to the council’s financial sustainability caused by the accumulated and growing deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) as pertaining to the high needs block expenditure on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

·       Proposes not to change the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS) for 2026/27 and therefore to continue with the same scheme the council has operated with since April 2019.