Agenda and decisions

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 13 January, 2026 be agreed as

a correct record.

That the contents of the update report be received and noted.

(i)              That the Revenue and Capital Budgets as detailed in this report and in the report to Cabinet dated 13 January 2026, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(ii)             That the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31 (Appendix 2) be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iii)           That the strategy for ensuring a balanced revenue outturn position for 2025/26, be approved.

(iv)           That the calculation of the Council Tax base and a proposed Council Tax increase for 2026/27 of 1.99% per Band D equivalent property, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(v)             That the risk assessment at Appendix 3 and the Section 151 Officer’s recommendation on the level of reserves and contingencies provisionally required to be maintained in 2026/27, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(vi)           That the Civic Growth Fund priorities for 2026/27, be approved.

(vii)          That an extension of the freeze, already announced to £1 after 1pm car parking, be recommended to all hourly car parking charges in support of the motion agreed by Full Council on 21 January 2026 to support the Borough’s Town Centres, High Streets and Villages. And, that the creation of free ‘nipper’ parking at the South High Street be noted. It was further resolved to write to the Chancellor and local Member of Parliament to seek the removal of business rates for town centre car parks.

(viii)        That a freeze in fees relating to tennis, bowls, football and rugby fees and charges for 2026/27, be recommended.

(ix)           That the Capital Strategy (Appendix 5) for 2026/36, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(x)             That the Treasury Management Strategy (Appendix 6) for 2026/27, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(xi)           That the Investment Strategy (Appendix 7) for 2026/27, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(xii)          That the Commercial Strategy (Appendix 8) for 2026/27, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(xiii)        That the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Appendix 9) for 2026/27, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

That the contents of the attached report and appendices be noted and that the Council’s service and financial performance for this period continue to be monitored and challenged.

(i)              That the forthcoming statutory consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, be noted;

(ii)             That a cross?party LGR Cabinet Panel be established, chaired by the Leader of the Council.

(iii)           That the work being undertaken to support a devolution offer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent be noted and endorsed;

(iv)           That it be noted that the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government has acknowledged receipt of the Council’s intention to hold elections in May 2026 and has confirmed this will proceed.

That the Forward Plan be received and noted.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.