Agenda item

Revenue Budget 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Forecast 2025/26 to 2028/29

Minutes:

There were no updates to the published report.

 

Members enquired whether it was better to assume a flat cash budget year on year and if so should reserves be used to fund the shortfall this year.  It was explained that there is no expectation to fund the shortfall totally from the reserves however there is sufficient funding available should it be necessary. There shall be in-year savings and various strategies will be used first to avoid using reserves which include:

 

·         Vacancy control/freeze shall be implemented across the organisation.

·         Making use of capital funds where appropriate to offset any of the shortfall.

·         Revenue generation from FiPL.

·         Increase income through capital projects.

 

Making use of the above strategies should avoid the need to fund all of the shortfall from reserves.  Realistically funding is unlikely to increase but currently focussing on the immediate year ahead.  The Government Comprehensive Spending Review will be reported in June 2025, should hear about the national parks allocation Autumn 2025 onwards. The aim would be ideally to invest any reserves on income generating capital projects. 

 

Members congratulated those officers who had put the budget together as it showed some measure of lateral thinking to get the best outcome possible from the increasingly limited resources.  The level of detail and savings being found is impressive.

 

A motion to approve the recommendations as set out in the report was proposed, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the revenue budget for the 2025/26 financial year as set out in Appendix 1 be approved, noting that the funding mechanism may be subject to change pending confirmation from DEFRA.

2.    That the Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) for the Authority for the period 2025/26 to 2028/29 be noted.

3.    To approve the extension of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for 2025-26, and to accept the additional funding allocated to the Authority for 2025-26.

 

4.    To continue to temporarily suspend the operation of Standing Order 7.C-3 for the delivery of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme only, and to continue to adopt the requirements set out in the National Framework document for the authorisation of grants under that programme.

5.    To continue to delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer or their nominee to complete grant agreements authorised in accordance with the National Framework, in the standard form provided within the National Framework documents.

 

Supporting documents: