Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

To accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2026/27.

The item was presented, stating that the report addressed the statutory requirement and provided a long-term context to capital expenditure and investment decisions while taking the risk into account. It was noted that the strategy combined the Budget report with the Borrowing and Investment plan by combining the capital programme with the treasury management side.

It was expressed that the report had already been submitted to the Governance and Audit Committee for consideration of any risks arising from the strategy. It was explained that since this was a technical field, a presentation had been given on aspects of Treasury Management by officials from the Arlingclose company to try and enhance understanding of the field.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.

A member enquired whether they would consider getting capital money from the reserves, as borrowing could incur costs. Officers responded by noting that this already happened, and that the Council had not borrowed externally for years.

It was expressed, with the change in the boundaries of a new electoral areas, members might be in a difficult position when it came to lobbying for an individual authority and then there would be increasing pressure on the Council to lobby much more. In response it was noted that time will tell, but there was a possibility that the Council's voice would be strengthened.

RESOLVED

To accept the report and approve the Capital Strategy for 2026/27.