Minutes Public Pack, 21/01/2026 Overview and Scrutiny Committee
What it recommends
- “The Council has a statutory responsibility to set a balanced Budget and Council Tax in advance of the start of the new financial year.”
- “The report identifies that a balanced budget in 2026/27 and in 2027/28 will be achieved with a small surplus expected of £440k in 2026/27 and £474k in 2027/28.”
- “The level of grant funding, Council Tax increases and income from fees and charges is insufficient to meet the annual increases in costs e.g. inflation, pay increases, demand pressures, in particular the costs of meeting our statutory homelessness costs. However, changes in the Government funding formula has seen a positive impact on the financial position for the Council.”
- “The Council is only able to increase Council Tax by a maximum of 2.99% without a referendum.”
- “The Council remains exposed to a much greater degree of volatility in terms of its income from Non-Domestic Rates and exp.”
What the meeting decided
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED (unanimously): ( i ) Approve the draft 2026/27 revenue budget subject to the following amendments: a. Approve £10,000 revenue in 2026/27 for a Heritage Action Plan. b. Approve £65,000 revenue over 2026/27-2027/28 for Bayeux tapestry and Norman activities. c. Approve £30,000 revenue over 2026/27-2027/28 for Bottle Alley arts. d. Approve £160,000 revenue over 2026/27-2027/28 for hit/zap team to work across the Borough to address Corporate Priorities in relation to Pride in Place. e.” minutes ↗
Places and organisations it names
Other papers for this meeting
- 2026-27 Budget Appendices v1.3
- Full Council agenda
- Appendix A - Section 25 Notice v1.1
- Apps C Ci & Cii
- Budget Council Report 2026-27 v1
- Glossary v1
- Hastings Chamber of Commerce meeting 29.1.26
- Minutes Public Pack, 02/02/2026 Cabinet
- Minutes Public Pack, 14/01/2026 Full Council
- Full Council minutes
- Reserves Policy 2026-27 v1.1
- Summary of Corporate Plan and budget feedback 2.2.26