Issue - meetings

A report seeking approval for the Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Capital Investment Strategy to facilitate effective financial management and planning was received.

A councillor asked to what extent, if any, would possible Local Government Reorganisation impact the funding strategy. In response it was clarified that Treasury Management was an annual process so there was no impact as yet. 

A member highlighted that it was a volatile period and that it was difficult to predict economic issues and as such borrowing should be short term as had been alluded to. In response it was indicated that there were two distinct areas and strategic decisions were needed for projects. In respect of operational cashflow it may need more borrowing but right now there was only one capital scheme but if more were added then the strategy would need to be reviewed. 

Members indicated that as the future was uncertain decisions had to be made on what was right at the current time. It was clarified that the council held low risk investments, achieving above base rate and not borrowing a lot. It was hoped that this gave members some assurance.

The committee thanked officers for their work and expressed the hope that this position could be maintained and decisions would need to be made about the level of risk taken in the future. 

After further discussion it was RESOLVED:

a)         That, the Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators and

Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy 2026/27 and

recommend to the Council for approval;

b)         That, the Capital Investment Strategy in conjunction with the Treasury Management Strategy be noted;

c)         That approval of any changes to the Capital Strategy and Minimum

Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Prudential Indicators be

delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Chair

of the Governance and Audit Committee, prior to the final

strategy being presented to Council in March; and

d)         That, the Treasury Management Practices be recommended to Council for approval.