Agenda and decisions

To receive any announcements from the Mayor and Chief Executive.

Group Business Managers to submit any apologies for absence.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council Meeting held on 12 February 2025.

Councillors will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, or any other interest, which may prevent them from participating in the discussion or vote on any of the items.

To consider the proposal for an additional meeting of Council to be held in April 2025.

Contact: Leigh Webb, Head of Governance

RESOLVED – That an additional meeting of Council be scheduled for 23 April 2025 and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, to determine whether the meeting is designated as a Key Discussion or Holding Executive to Account format.

To consider the adoption of the 2025/2026 Council Plan.

Contact: Stephen Bonnell, Head of Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Planning

RESOLVED – That the 2025/2026 Council Plan be approved and incorporated within the Council’s Policy Framework.

To consider the recommendations of the Meeting of Cabinet, held on 11 February 2025 that;

(i)             General Fund Revenue

-       the Revenue Budget for 2025-2026, to deliver a balanced position, as  attached at Appendix F, be approved

-       the forecast spending and funding plans for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 period, as set out at Appendix A, be noted.

-       the forecast levels of statutory and other council reserves, as set out at Appendix C, be noted

-       the strategy for the use of balances and reserves (paragraph 2.18 refers) be approved

-       that the Council’s flexible capital receipts policy for 20252-2026, as set out at paragraph 2.25/Appendix G, be approved.

-       the Council tax requirement for 2025/2026, as set out at Appendix M, be approved.

-       the Council’s Statutory 151 Officer’s positive assurance statement as to the robustness of the forecasts and estimates and adequacy of financial reserves, as set out at paragraph 2.23, be noted.

-       authority be delegated to the Council’s statutory s151 Officer to amend how the finally approved precepts are recorded in the Council’s revenue budget in line with the final notifications received following decisions by the West Yorkshire Mayor Police and Crime Commissioner, the Fire and Rescue Authority and the Parish Councils, should these be received after 5 March 2025 (paragraph 3.1.3 refers)

(ii)            Treasury Management

-       the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.16 to 2.29 refer)  

-       the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.30 to 2.38 and Appendices A and B refer)

-       the policy for provision of repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision) be approved (paragraphs 2.39 to 2.40, Appendix C refers)

-       the treasury management prudential indicators be approved (Appendix D refers)

-       the investment strategy (non treasury investments) be approved (Appendix F refers)

(iii)          Capital

-       the updated Capital Plan 2024-2032 be approved (Appendix F refers)

-       the Capital Strategy (including prudential indicators) be approved (Appendix I refers)

(iv)          Housing Revenue Account

-       the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025-2026 be approved (Appendix K refers)

-       the strategy for the use of the Housing Revenue Account reserves be approved (Appendix K refers)

Any received amendments will be published in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19(3) and 19(4) on 26 February 2025.

Contact: Kevin Mulvaney, Service Director – Finance

RESOLVED – That the Budget Motion be approved subject to the agreed revised amendment set out in document A.