Issue - meetings

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To set out draft revenue and capital budget proposals for financial year 2026/27.

To commence a period of consultation on draft budget proposals for a four-week period ending 18th February 2026.

Author: Jonathan Davies, Head of Finance (Deputy S151 Officer)

Contact Details: jonathandavies2@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the release of its draft revenue budget proposals for 2026/27 for consultation which will run until 18th February 2026.

That Cabinet approves the release of its draft capital budget proposals for 2026/27 and indicative capital budgets for 2027/28 to 2029/30 for consultation as set out in appendix 4.

That Cabinet note the remaining revenue budget gap of £973,000 at draft budget stage which will need to be resolved in full by the time that the final budget is set by Council in March 2026.

That Cabinet notes the implications and current uncertainties arising out of Welsh Government’s provisional Local Government budget announcement as outlined in this report and agree the response to Welsh Government as outlined at appendix 5.

That Cabinet recommends the use of capital receipts totalling £2,707,500 to fund revenue costs associated with organisational change that support the draft revenue budget proposals.

That Cabinet recommends an increase in discretionary fees and charges of at least 3.8% as outlined in appendix 6, reflecting the prevailing rate of inflation in September 2025.