Lead Member – Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Director Finance Improvement (Section 151 Officer)

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommends that Council:-

a)    Approve, with any comments, the Treasury Strategy for 2026/27 set out in appendix 1 (parts 1-3).

b)    Approve, with any comments, the Prudential Indicators, set out in Appendix 1 (parts 4), in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003.

c)    Approve, with any comments, the Investment Strategy, set out in Appendix 1 (part 5) in accordance with the DLUHC Guidance on Local Government Investments.

d)    Approve, with any comments, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 1 (part 6).

e)    Authorise the Section 151 Officer to exercise the borrowing powers contained in Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003 and to manage the Council’s debt portfolio in accordance with the Treasury Strategy.

f)     Authorise the Section 151 Officer to use other Foreign Banks which meet MUFG Corporate Markets’ creditworthiness policy as required.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the Treasury Strategy for 2026/27, which sets out the arrangements for how the council will appropriately manage its arrangements for banking, cash flow management, investments, and borrowing, supporting the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Members noted the current position on investments and borrowing, including that cash balances were lower than in previous years and that maintaining liquidity remained a priority. The role of the Treasury team in managing borrowing and investments in line with the approved Strategy was acknowledged.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommends that Council:-

a)    Approve, with any comments, the Treasury Strategy for 2026/27 set out in appendix 1 (parts 1-3).

b)    Approve, with any comments, the Prudential Indicators, set out in Appendix 1 (parts 4), in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003.

c)     Approve, with any comments, the Investment Strategy, set out in Appendix 1 (part 5) in accordance with the DLUHC Guidance on Local Government Investments.

d)    Approve, with any comments, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 1 (part 6).

e)    Authorise the Section 151 Officer to exercise the borrowing powers contained in Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003 and to manage the Council’s debt portfolio in accordance with the Treasury Strategy.

f)      Authorise the Section 151 Officer to use other Foreign Banks which meet MUFG Corporate Markets’ creditworthiness policy as required.