Agenda and decisions

None received.

None received.

Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To consider the Discretionary Policy for Council Tax Premiums found in Appendix One

Author: Ruth Donovan, Assistant Head of Finance

Contact Details: ruthdonovan@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet use its discretionary powers, under Sections 12A, 12B and 13a of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, to introduce the following additional exceptions:

· Local exception long term empty properties – limited to 6 months

· Local exception long term empty 12 months

· Time limited discretion, as detailed in Appendix One

· Discretionary exception, as detailed in Appendix One

That Cabinet approves the Discretionary Policy for Council Tax Premiums (which details all locally agreed exceptions).

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To update Cabinet with the consultation responses to the draft budget proposals issued by them on the 22nd of January in respect of the Capital and Revenue budgets for 2025/26.

To make recommendations to Council on the Capital and Revenue budgets including the level of Council Tax for 2025/26.

To receive the statutory report of the Responsible Financial Officer on the budget process and the adequacy of reserves.

To receive the Responsible Financial Officer’s Prudential Indicator calculations for capital financing.

Author:  Jonathan Davies, Head of Finance

Contact Details:  jonathandavies2@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet considers the responses to consultation and recommends to Council:

a) The 2025/26 revenue budget as attached in Appendix B.

b) The 2025/26 capital budget and indicative 2026/27 to 2028/29 budgets as attached in Appendix H.

That a 7.8% increase in the Band “D” equivalent Council Tax is applied for County Council purposes for 2025/26. Cabinet asks that efforts continue to be maximised to ensure that individuals and households eligible for council tax exemptions or reductions claim the benefit available to them.

That Cabinet approves changes to proposed saving and pressures, updated following public consultation, scrutiny and more up to date information being made available since the draft proposals were released on consultation on 22nd January 2025.

That Cabinet considers the Responsible Financial Officer’s report on the robustness of the budget process and adequacy of reserves issued under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2003 and an assessment of the current and future financial risks facing the Council.

That Cabinet adopts the Responsible Financial Officer’s recommendation for the prudential Indicators for capital financing.

That Cabinet requests:

a) That the existing arrangements in place for more regular budget monitoring and scrutiny continue during 2025/26, noting the levels of cost pressure being accommodated by services, and the deliverability risk in achieving required budget savings.

b) That the Medium Term Financial Plan continues to be updated and reported regularly, using the most up-to-date information available to assess cost pressures and risks, the underlying modelling assumptions, any service changes resulting from the programme of change, and the ongoing affordability implications of the Community and Corporate Plan.

Division/Wards Affected: n/a

Purpose: To seek cabinet approval to amend the funding formula for delegating funds to Monmouth Comprehensive, Caldicot School, Chepstow School and King Henry VIII 3 - 19 for leadership.

Author: Nikki Wellington, Finance and Support Services Manager

Contact Details: nikkiwellington@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That cabinet approves an amendment to the funding formula for delegating funds to Monmouth Comprehensive, Caldicot School, Chepstow School and King Henry VIII 3 - 19 for leadership.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To present to Cabinet for approval the 2025/26 Investment and Fund strategy for Trust Funds for which the Authority acts as sole or custodian trustee and to approve the 2025/26 grant allocation to Local Authority beneficiaries of the Welsh Church Fund.

Author: Dave Jarrett, Finance Business Partner

             Nicola Wellington, Children & Young People Finance Manager

Contact Details: davejarrett@monmouthshire.gov.uk

                           nicolawellington@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That the proposed Investment and Fund Strategy for 2025/26 for the Monmouthshire Farm School Endowment Trust Fund as set by the Trust be endorsed (Appendix 1).

To note that the Monmouthshire Farm School Trust Board determined the 2025/26 grant allocation for the year in July 2024. However, this is reviewed at every meeting to ensure that the grants offered do not exceed previous years’ investment return at the end of March 2025, and any under spends carried forward from the 2024/25 grant allocation, to avoid eroding the overall fund.

That the proposed Investment and Fund Strategy for 2025/26 for the Welsh Church Fund be approved. (Appendix 3).

To delegate responsibility for the execution and administration of treasury management decisions to the Chief Officer for Resources who will act in accordance with the Investment and Funds Strategy.

To approve the 2025/26 grant allocation to Local Authority beneficiaries to the Monmouthshire Welsh Church Act Fund of £225,000 which is to be distributed in accordance with population data in the draft Local Government Settlement 2025/26.

To endorse the policy that Monmouthshire County Council (as the Welsh Church Fund Trustee) ensures that the constituent councils that benefit from grant distributions, ensure that grants allocated are in line with charitable objects of the fund and that this fact is advertised on their Authority’s website.

To endorse the Welsh Church Fund Principles, Policy Considerations and Grant Allocation Criteria for 2025/26 (Appendix 5) as considered and approved by the Welsh Church Fund Committee in February 2025.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To approve the purchase of a property to alleviate the pressures with homelessness and seek approval for the Deputy Chief Executive to have future delegated authority in liaison with the relevant cabinet member to approve the property acquisition.

Author: Rachel Fry, Strategy and Policy Officer

Contact Details: rachelfry@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet:

Following consideration of the Business Case (Appendix 1 - EXEMPT), approves the acquisition of the property, utilising Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme Grant subject to Welsh Government approval, and drawing on the existing borrowing headroom and budget envelope of the capital programme, to address the purchase price shortfall.

Approve the delegation of responsibility to approve future property acquisition for homelessness to the Deputy Chief Executive, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism and Deputy Leader.