Issue - meetings

This item was deferred from the Extraordinary Council Meeting held 17 November.

Council resolved to:

1.    Be informed and assured by the draft Reserves Strategy noting that the forward projected figures will change when a Detailed Budget Report is brought to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in January 2026,

2.    Acknowledge the proposed repurposing of the earmarked Sinking Fund reserves as a revenue budget equalisation reserve; and

3.    Recognise the inconsistencies in how the Council’s reserves are presented across various reports and the draft accounts and require that a standardised format be agreed with the Financial Working Group before the next budget is submitted.

This is a draft report as it is to be considered by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 11 November so may be subject to amendments.

This item was deferred to the next Council meeting to be held on 11 December 2025.

The Committee is asked to recommend to Council that it approves the:

1.    Reserves Strategy for 2026-27

2.    Repurposing of the earmarked Sinking Fund reserves as a revenue budget equalisation reserve.

The Committee resolved to:

1.     Recommend to Council that it is informed and assured by the Draft Reserves Strategy noting that the forward projected figures will change when a detailed Budget Report is brought to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in January 2026; and

2.     Acknowledge the proposed repurposing of the earmarked Sinking Fund reserves as a revenue budget equalisation reserve.

The Committee considered a draft Reserves Strategy and the proposed repurposing of the earmarked Sinking Fund reserves as a revenue budget equalisation reserve. There were a number of factors that would create budget gaps which would be eased with repurposing the reserves.

Councillor Clarke requested a recorded vote.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Recommend to Council that it is informed and assured by the Draft Reserves Strategy noting that the forward projected figures will change when a detailed Budget Report is brought to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in January 2026; and

2.    Acknowledge the proposed repurposing of the earmarked Sinking Fund reserves as a revenue budget equalisation reserve.