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Decision details

Budget Report 2025/26

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To set out the organisation's revenue budget incorporating decisions for the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy to be considered by the Strategy and Resources Committee in making recommendations for council to approve its budget.

Decision:

The Committee RESOLVED:

 

A. To note:

1. The budget consultation process that was followed and feedback as outlined in Section 18 and Appendix 6.

 

2. That the budget consultation feedback and equality impact assessments have been taken into consideration by officers and have informed the final budget proposals.

 

3. The categorisation of earmarked reserves and provisions as set out in section 15 of the main report.

 

4. The feedback provided by Bristol Schools Forum for Strategy and Resources Committee and Council, for consideration in making final decisions on the Dedicated Schools Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 13.

 

5. The gross distribution of the 2025/26 Dedicated Schools Grant £547.8 million (£244.8m is received net after deductions, for application and onward administration of funds to schools and early years settings) as set out in section 9.

 

6. The Housing Revenue Account Revenue budget of £154 million as set out in section 11.

 

7. The Section 25 Statement of the Chief Finance Officer (s151 Officer) as set out in section 17.

 

8. Any further DSG mitigation proposals for commencement in 2025/26 approved by Children and Young People Committee (subject to consultation where required).

 

B. (6 members voting in favour and 3 against) To delegate authority:

 

1. To the Director of Finance in consultation with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee, following the 2025/26 Final Local Government Finance Settlement, to make any adjustments that may be required to the budget report in the interim period between Strategy and Resources Committee 3 February 2025 and Full Council 25 February 2025. Any such adjustments will then be reported to Full Council for noting.

 

2. To the Director of Finance in consultation with the Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee to make any necessary technical adjustments that may be required to the budget with transfers to and or from reserves as appropriate.

 

C. (6 members voting in favour and 3 against) To recommend for onward consideration to Full Council:

 

1. The Bristol City Council levels of Council Tax increase by 4.99%; which includes 2% precept to support Adult Social Care, noting the precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and the Avon Fire Authority.

 

2. The council’s General Fund net revenue budget for the year 2025/26 as £571.139 million and expenditure allocations as set out in Appendix 1; subject to any budget amendments properly notified to and approved by the council in line with the Constitution.

 

3. To approve the Reserves Policy 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 14.

 

4. To approve the Capital Strategy 2025/26 – 2034/35 as set out in Appendix 2a.

 

5. The council’s capital budget and programme for the years 2025/26 – 2034/35, totalling £1.2 billion for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Fund as set out in Appendix 2b.

 

6. The strategic Community Infrastructure Levy allocations in section 13 are approved.

 

7. The proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 in Appendix 4, incorporating the Minimum Revenue Provision policy and the prudential indicators and limits.

 

8. To approve the strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts as set out in Appendix 5.

 

Report author: Sarah Chodkiewicz

Publication date: 04/02/2025

Date of decision: 03/02/2025

Decided at meeting: 03/02/2025 - Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Accompanying Documents: