Agenda item

1.     Revenue Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29

 

Recommendations 1a, 1d to 1p and 2 regarding the Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2027/28 to 2028/29 at pages 5 to 7 of the agenda (pages 4693 to 4695 of the Minute Book) were moved by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Carl Les, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Gareth Dadd.

 

       i.         The following amendment was moved by Councillor Liz Colling and seconded by Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright

 

“We call on Council to award £50,000 per annum to Citizens Advice for the 3 years of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (2026/27 to 2028/29) for activity that supports winter warmth initiatives and fuel poverty, strengthening the support for the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

 

The amendment was then debated.

 

On a vote being taken on the amendment, the motion was carried unanimously.

 

 

     ii.         The following amendment was moved by Councillor Matt Walker and seconded by Councillor Chris Aldred

 

“We propose that a fund of £100k be included in the revenue budget in both 2026/27 and 2027/28 with the intention of supporting Town & Parish Councils to properly assess and engage with the Council on a level playing field.  This fund would be co-designed with Town & Parish Councils including detail on how funds are accessed and approved but may, for example, include the commissioning of local support or one-off spend that enables a double devolution deal to be struck. 

 

Furthermore, where double devolution deals are shown to generate recurring savings to North Yorkshire Council then such savings should be recorded and considered for future funding from 2028/29 onwards when the funding of £100k per annum would need to be reviewed.”

 

The amendment was then debated.

 

A recorded vote was taken by roll call and the motion was declared defeated 31 for, 48 against and one abstention.

 

For:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Liz Colling, Sam Cross, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Melanie Davis, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Kevin Foster, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Mike Jordan, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Bob Packham, Stuart Parsons, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Mike Schofield, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright,  Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Neil Swannick, Andrew Timothy, Matt Walker and Arnold Warneken.

 

Against:  Councillors Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Nick Brown, Lindsay Burr MBE, David Chance, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Caroline Dickinson, Keane Duncan, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Nigel Knapton, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Andy Paraskos, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Phil Trumper, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Abstentions: Councillor Andy Brown

 

 

    iii.         The following amendment was moved by Councillor Peter Lacey and seconded by Councillor Monika Slater:

 

“We propose the establishment of a central pot of £150k per annum for the period 2026/27 to 2028/29 to be drawn down by Area Committees who will work with their local Community and Voluntary sector wherever a Prevention Plus trial is to be put in place (assuming that Prevention Plus is approved by the Executive).  The areas of spend covered by the fund could include capacity building, skills development, training or infrastructure to support this tier of primary prevention and to ensure the longer term sustainability of the Prevention Plus model.”

 

The amendment was then debated.

 

A recorded vote was taken by roll call and the motion was declared defeated 18 for, 62 against and no abstentions.

 

For:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Philip Broadbank, Barbara Brodigan, Lindsay Burr MBE, Sam Cross, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Mike Jordan, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Tom Seston, Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andrew Timothy and Matt Walker.

 

Against:  Councillors Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Eric Broadbent, Andy Brown, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Keane Duncan, Kevin Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Nigel Knapton, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Mike Schofield, Karin Sedgwick, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Phil Trumper, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Abstentions: None.

 

Members then proceeded to debate the Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2028/29.

 

A named vote was then taken by roll call on the substantive motion as amended at i above, and declared carried with 59 for, 19 against and one abstention.

 

For:  Councillors Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Eric Broadbent, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Keane Duncan, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Phil Trumper, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Against:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Philip Broadbank, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Sam Cross, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Kevin Foster, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Mike Schofield, Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andrew Timothy, Matt Walker and Arnold Warneken.

 

Abstentions: Councillor Kirsty Poskitt

 

Resolved (subject to the amendment agreed at i above)

 

a)    That the Section 25 assurance statement provided by the Corporate Director Resources regarding the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the reserves (paragraph 8.14) and the risk assessment of the MTFS detailed in Section 9 are noted.

b)    That a Net Revenue Budget for 2026/27 of £650,023k (Appendix G) is approved.

c)     That in the event that the level of overall external funding (including from the final Local Government Settlement) results in a variance of less than £7.5m in 2026/27 then the difference to be addressed by a transfer to / from the Strategic Capacity Unallocated Reserve in line with paragraph 4.3.2 with such changes being made to Appendix E as appropriate.

d)    That the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service is authorised, in consultation with the Corporate Director, Resources and the Executive Members for Schools and Finance, to take the final decision on the allocation of the Schools Budget including High Needs, Early Years and the Central Schools Services Block (paragraph 3.1.19).

e)    That the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2027/28 to 2028/29, and its caveats, as laid out in Section 3.0 and Appendix G is approved in line with the proposed Council Tax option.

f)      That the Corporate Director – Environment is authorised, in consultation with the Executive Members for Highways & Transportation, Managing our Environment and Open to Business, to carry out all necessary actions, including consultation where considered appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (ENV 01 - New to 19 - New).

g)    That the Corporate Director – Community Development is authorised, in consultation with the Executive Members for Open to Business and Culture, Arts and Housing, to carry out all necessary actions, including consultation where considered appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (CD 01 - New to 15 - New).

h)    That the Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services is authorised, in consultation with the Executive Members for HAS, to carry out all necessary actions, including consultation where he considers it appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (HAS 01 - New to 07 - New).

i)      That the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Services is authorised, in consultation with the Executive Members for CYPS, to carry out all necessary actions, including consultation where he considers it appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (CYPS 01 - New to 05 - New).

j)      That the Corporate Director – Resources, in consultation with the Executive Members for Finance & Resources and Corporate Services, to carry out all the necessary actions, including consultation where he considers it appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (RD 01 - New to 05 - New, CM 01 - New and LGR 01 - New).

k)     That the Chief Executive is authorised, in consultation with the Executive Members for Central Services, to carry out all necessary actions, including consultation where he considers it appropriate, to implement the range of savings as set out in Appendix B1 (CS 01 – New to CS 08 - New).

l)      That any outcomes requiring changes following Recommendations f), g), h), i), j), and k) above be brought back to the Executive to consider and, where changes are recommended to the existing major policy framework, then such matters to be considered by Full Council.

m)   That £5,000k be added to the Corporate Property Maintenance budget in 2026/27 on a one-off basis as set out in paragraph 4.9.1 to address urgent needs and that a scheme is produced to aid decision making on allocation of this sum with the design of the scheme being delegated to the Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Property.

n)    That the proposed policy target for the minimum level of the General Working Balance is £33m in line with Appendix F and paragraph 4.6.3.

o)    That Council notes and agrees the delegation arrangements referred to in Section 11 that authorise the Corporate Directors to implement the Budget proposals contained in this report for their respective service areas and for the Chief Executive in those areas where there are cross-Council proposals.

 

 

2.     Council Tax 2026/27

 

Recommendations 1b, 1c, 1q and 1r regarding the Council Tax for 2026/27 at pages 5 to 7 of the main agenda (pages 4693 to 4695 of the Minute Book) were moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Gareth Dadd, and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Carl Les.

 

The motion was then debated.

 

A named vote was then taken by roll call on the motion, and declared carried with 61 for, 9 against and 9 abstentions.

 

For:  Councillors Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Eric Broadbent, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Keane Duncan, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Phil Trumper, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Against:  Councillors Philip Broadbank, Andy Brown, Sam Cross, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Kevin Foster, Mike Schofield, Monika Slater, Matt Walker and Arnold Warneken.

 

Abstentions: Councillors Chris Aldred, Barbara Brodigan, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Kirsty Poskitt, Dan Sladden and Andrew Timothy.

 

Resolved

 

a) An increase in Council Tax of 4.99% (basic 2.99% and Adult Social Care 2%) resulting in a Band D charge of £2,036.32 – an increase of £96.78 (paragraph 4.4.6 and Appendix D).

 

b) That, in accordance with Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act1992 (as amended by Section 74 of The Localism Act 2011), a Council Tax requirement for 2026/27 of £524,458,818.08 is approved (paragraph 4.4.9).

 

c) That the Empty Homes and Second Homes Premium policy (Appendix L) is approved.

 

d) That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27 (Appendix M) is approved.

 

 

3.     Capital Five Year Spending Plan, Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 and Capital Strategy

 

Recommendations 4a to 4e regarding the Capital Five Year Spending Plan, Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 and Capital Strategy at pages 5 to 7 of the main agenda (pages 4693 to 4695 of the Minute Book) were moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Gareth Dadd, and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Carl Les.

 

The motion was then debated.

 

A named vote was then taken by roll call on the motion, and declared carried with 60 for, 7 against and 12 abstentions.

 

For:  Councillors Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Eric Broadbent, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Keane Duncan, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Phil Trumper, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Against:  Councillors Andy Brown, Sam Cross, Kevin Foster, Kirsty Poskitt, Mike Schofield, Monika Slater, and Arnold Warneken.

 

Abstentions: Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Philip Broadbank, Barbara Brodigan, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Peter Lacey, Steve Mason, Dan Sladden, Andrew Timothy, and Matt Walker

 

Resolved that Council

 

a)    Approve the refreshed Capital Plan summarised at paragraph 3.3; and

 

b)    Approve the allocation of £1.1m of Strategic Capacity Unallocated Reserve to support the investment in the Filey Brigg Caravan and Camping Site as outlined at paragraph 4.8.4;

 

c)      The Treasury Management Strategy Statement Annex 1, consisting of the Annual Treasury Management Strategy (Section 1), Capital Prudential Indicators (Section 2), Borrowing Strategy (Section 3) and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/27 (Section 4), including in particular:

 

(i)             an authorised limit for external debt of £609.2m in 2026/27;

(ii)            an operational boundary for external debt of £589.2m in 2026/27;

(iii)           the Prudential and Treasury Indicators based on the Council’s current and indicative spending plans for 2026/27 to 2028/29;

(iv)           a limit of £60m of the total cash sums available for investment (both in house and externally managed) to be invested in Non-Specified Investments over 365 days;

(v)            a Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy for debt repayment to be charged to Revenue in 2026/27;

(vi)           the Corporate Director Resources to report to the Council if and when necessary during the year on any changes to this Strategy arising from the use of operational leasing, PFI or other innovative methods of funding not previously approved by the Council;

 

d)    The Capital Strategy as attached as Annex 2; and

 

e)    That the Audit Committee be invited to review Annex 1 and 2 and submit any proposals to the Executive for consideration at the earliest opportunity.

 

4.     Housing Revenue Account Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2027/28 and 2028/29

 

Recommendations 4f to 4j regarding the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2027/28 and 2028/29 at pages 5 to 7 of the main agenda (pages 4693 to 4695 of the Minute Book) were moved by the Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Carl Les.

 

The motion was then debated.

 

A named vote was then taken by roll call on the motion, and declared carried with 71 for, 5 against and two abstentions.

 

For:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Keane Duncan, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Peter Lacey, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Steve Mason, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Dan Sladden, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Andrew Timothy, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Against:  Councillors Andy Brown, Sam Cross, Mike Schofield, Monika Slater and Arnold Warneken.

 

Abstentions: Councillor Kevin Foster and Kirsty Poskitt

 

(In accordance with his declaration at Minute Item 251, Councillor Jack Proud left the Chamber during the debate and determination of this motion)

 

Resolved that Council

 

a)    approves the HRA budget for 2026/27 as set out in paragraph 6.3, being a net deficit of £0.890m which will be drawn from the HRA working balance;

 

b)    approves the HRA Medium term financial plan for 2027/28 and 2028/29 and the 30-year HRA Business Plan, as set out in paragraph 6.3 and Appendix B respectively;

 

c)     Agrees rent convergence is implemented at the maximum allowable for all properties on Social (Formula) rent as soon as practically feasible;

 

d)    Agrees an increase of 4.8% be applied to social, affordable and hostel rents from 1 April 2026;

 

e)    Agrees an increase of 2% be applied to shared ownership rents from 1 April 2026.

 

5.     Council Tax Resolution Report 2026/27

 

The recommendations regarding the Council Tax Resolution Report at page 425 of the main agenda (page 5121 of the Minute Book) were moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Gareth Dadd, and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Carl Les.

 

A named vote was taken by roll call on the motion, and declared carried unanimously with 79 in favour.

 

For:  Councillors Chris Aldred, Joy Andrews, Karl Arthur, Alyson Baker, Derek Bastiman, Philip Broadbank, Eric Broadbent, Barbara Brodigan, Andy Brown, Nick Brown, David Chance, Liz Colling, Mark Crane, Sam Cross, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Gareth Dadd, Melanie Davis, Caroline Dickinson, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, Keane Duncan, Kevin Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Gibbs, Caroline Goodrick, Hannah Gostlow, Bryn Griffiths, Tim Grogan, Michael Harrison, Robert Heseltine, David Hugill, Nathan Hull, David Ireton, George Jabbour, David Jeffels, Janet Jefferson, Tom Jones, Mike Jordan, Nigel Knapton, Peter Lacey, Carl Les OBE, Cliff Lunn, Steve Mason, Heather Moorhouse, Simon Myers, Bob Packham, Andy Paraskos, Stuart Parsons, Yvonne Peacock MBE, Clive Pearson, Heather Phillips, Kirsty Poskitt, Jack Proud, John Ritchie, Janet Sanderson, Mike Schofield, Karin Sedgwick, Tom Seston, Subash Sharma, Steve Shaw-Wright, Dan Sladden, Monika Slater, Andy Solloway, David Staveley, Neil Swannick, Roberta Swiers, Malcolm Taylor, Angus Thompson, Andrew Timothy, Phil Trumper, Matt Walker, Arnold Warneken, Steve Watson, David Webster, John Weighell OBE, Greg White, Annabel Wilkinson, Peter Wilkinson, Andrew Williams and Robert Windass.

 

Against: None.

 

Abstentions: None.

 

Resolved that the Council Tax Resolution, as detailed at Appendix A of the report, be approved.