Agenda item

To consider recommendations from Cabinet.

The Cabinet member for Finance and Capital Strategy presented the Budget Strategy and Medium-term Financial Plan (MTPF). Budget speech appended to these minutes.

 

The Chair invited the Group Leaders to present their replies to the budget proposals, Cllrs A Parry, C Sutton, L Fry, K Wheller. Budget speeches appended to these minutes.

 

Members debated the item, and the comments included:

 

·       Budget noted as high risk due to reliance on business rates and national financial pressures

·       Increased funding for adult social care and vulnerable people

·       Dorset’s funding considered low; support welcomed for flooding mitigation, housing, transport, and flood resilience initiatives

·       Concerns raised that systemic issues, such as flooding, were not fully addressed

·       Progress on adult services, transformation, and regeneration commended

·       Recurring government-influenced issues and potential impacts on manufacturing highlighted

·       Overall, Members acknowledged pressures, responsible allocation, and focus on supporting residents and strengthening Council resilience

 

Cllr N Ireland stated that the council was taking a different approach, investing in highways, reviewing parking charges and supporting clean green energy jobs. He noted investments in growth, flood management, and improvements to road networks. It was proposed by Cllr S Clifford and seconded by Cllr N Ireland.

 

In accordance with procedure rule 19.6 (recorded votes at budget meetings) a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those who voted in favour:

 

Cllrs J Andrews, J Atwal, M Baker, S Bartlett, B Bawden, D Beer, M Bell, R Biggs, L Bown, A Brenton, W Chakawhata, S Clifford, R Crabb, N Eysenck, B Ezzard, S Florek, L Fry, A Fuhrmann, S Holland, R Hope, R Hughes, N Ireland, J Jeanes, S Jones, p Kimber, C Kippax, R Legg, R Major, D Morgan, D Northam, J Orrell, S Robinson, P Roper, D Sowry-House, A Starr, C Sutton, R Tarr, D Taylor, G Taylor, A Todd, D Tooke, C Webb, K Wheller, S Williams, B Wilson and C Woode

 

Those who voted against:

 

Cllrs L Beddow, R Bryan, S Christopher, P Dickenson, B Gorringe, J Haynes, S Jespersen, C Jones, N Lacey-Clarke, C Monks, S Murcer, L O’Leary, E Parker, M Parkes, A Parry, V Pothecary, B Quayle, B Rideout, D Shortell, A Skeats, J Somper, G Suttle, C Tomes and J Vitali

 

Those who abstained:

 

Cllr S Flower

 

Following the recorded vote of 46 for, 24 against and 1 abstention the motion was CARRIED.

 

Decision

 

1) That the revenue budget summarised in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet of 29 January 2026, be agreed.

2) That the increase in general Council Tax of 2.9985% and 1.9919% in the Social Care Precept, providing a Band D Council Tax figure for Dorset Council of £2,205.90; an overall increase of 4.9904%, be agreed and that the Council Tax resolution in Appendix 2 be agreed.

3) That the Council Tax base of 163,765.1 and Band D equivalents (188,374 households in total) agreed by the Section 151 Officer earlier in this budget setting process, be noted.

4) That the continuation of the unchanged scheme of Local Council Tax Support, and the revised income tables following the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uplift of benefits by 3.8%, be noted.

5) That the Capital Strategy set out in Appendix 7, be agreed.

6) That the “standing items” included with the Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 3 to be report, be agreed.

7) That the introduction of three formal gateways for capital projects: (i) Business case approval, (ii) Budget allocation, and (iii) Procurement approval by Cabinet or delegated authority, set out in the capital section of the report to cabinet be agreed.

8) That the Treasury Management Strategy set out in Appendix 8 be agreed.

9) That the assumptions used to develop the Budget Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), as set out throughout the report to Cabinet, be noted.

10) That the recommended balances on earmarked reserves and on general funds, including the minimum level of the general fund, be agreed.

11) That the responses to the recommendations and comments made as part of the budget scrutiny process, as set out in Appendix 9, be agreed.

12) That the recommendations 2.1.1 and 2.2.2 from 3 December 2025 Harbour Advisory Committee meeting regarding fees and charges, budget and asset management plans, as set out at Appendix 6, be agreed.

13) That the fees and charges for 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 10, be agreed.