Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes

Committee minutes · Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Wed 21 Jan 2026 · Hastings Borough Council

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The Committee heard that a balanced budget for 2026/27 and 2027/28 is expected, with a forecast surplus of £440,000 in 2026/27 and £474,000 in 2027/28. p18

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p18(vi) Approve that the budget be amended as necessary to reflect the final grant figures including Disabled Facility Grants - once received. (vii) Approve the existing Council Tax Support Scheme, adopting the existing scheme allowing for any future minor wording amendments to reflect legislative changes and prescribed requirements under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Prescribed Requirements) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2023. With Delegated Authority be given to the Chief Finance Officer in line with prior years practice, to make changes to the approved scheme during 2026/27. (viii) Approve the additional £331,486 budget for DHP funding to support residents who need it most. (ix) Approval is given to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to formulate and implement in full, Government grant, discount or relief schemes so long as they are as a minimum, revenue cost neutral to the Council. (x) Approve the updated Reserves Policy for 2026/27 Reasons for Recommendations 1. The Council has a statutory responsibility to set a balanced Budget and Council Tax in advance of the start of the new financial year. 2. The report identifies that a balanced budget in 2026/27 and in 2027/28 will be achieved with a small surplus expected of £440k in 2026/27 and £474k in 2027/28. 3. The level of grant funding, Council Tax increases and income from fees and charges is insufficient to meet the annual increases in costs e.g. inflation, pay increases, demand pressures, in particular the costs of meeting our statutory homelessness costs. However, changes in the Government funding formula has seen a positive impact on the financial position for the Council. 4. The Council is only able to increase Council Tax by a maximum of 2.99% without a referendum. 5.

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Hastings Borough Council

Other papers for this meeting

2026-27 Budget Appendices v1.1 · Committee report
Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda · Committee agenda
Appendix A - Section 25 Notice v1.1 · Committee report
Glossary v1 · Committee report
Minutes Public Pack, 10/12/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Committee report
O&S Budget Report 2026-27 v1.3 · Committee report
Reserves Policy 2026-27 v1.1 · Committee report
Revised Appendix B - Revenue Budget Forward Plan · Committee report
Revised Appendix K - Priority, Income & Efficiency Review (PIER Outcomes) · Committee report

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