To approve the revised capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2026/27 onwards.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services to approve the 2026/27 capital investment budget and capital strategy update. Council noted those supplements published following the despatch of the agenda including the Budget Council meeting procedure 2026 and the Section 151 officer’s section 25 statement both published on 6 February.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services moved the report and proposed the recommendations.

The Leader seconded the report and the recommendations.

Council debated the report.

The 2026/27 capital investment budget and capital strategy update was put to the recorded vote and carried by a simple majority.

FOR (35): Councillors Andrews, Bartrum, Biggs, Boulter, Bramer, Carwardine, Cole, Cornthwaite, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Dykes, Foxton, Gandy, Hamblin, Harvey, Highfield, Hurcomb, James, Kenyon, Lester, Mason, Phillips, Ivan Powell, Price, Spencer, Stoddart, Stone, Swinglehurst, Taylor, Thomas, Tillett, Toynbee, Allan Williams and Woodall.

Against (0):

Abstentions (15): Councillors Bartlett, Crockett, Engel, Fagan, Gennard, Heathfield, Hitchiner, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Peberdy, Proctor, Simmons, Stark and Tully.

RESOLVED:

That: Council:

a) Approve the revised capital programme for 2026/27 attached at appendix C; b) Approve the capital strategy at appendix D; and

c) Approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts of up to £1.0 million in 2026/27, to support transformation to generate ongoing revenue savings and reduce service delivery costs in future years.

There was an adjournment at 11:16 a.m.; the meeting reconvened at 11:30 a.m.

Cllr Fagan declared a registerable interest in agenda item no.9, 2026/27 Capital Investment Budget and Capital Strategy Update, as a trustee of Llanwarne Village Hall which had received grant funding from the council.