Issue - meetings

Quarter 2 Financial Monitoring Report 2025/26

Council considered the Quarter 2 Financial Monitoring Report 2025/26.  Members were advised that an overspend was envisaged for 2025/26 as well as for subsequent years, with the primary cause being a relatively low local government financial settlement for District Councils.  There was therefore a need to be prudent.

The Council retained reserves above the minimum threshold and officers were working hard to ensure that a balanced budget could be achieved.  In the meantime, oversight of departmental budgets had increased and some potential savings had been identified.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Ian Woodall and seconded by Councillor Juma Begum.

Homelessness Prevention Grant Funding 2026/27 to 2028/29 (including Rough Sleeper Grant) and Domestic Abuse Grant

Consideration was given to a report detailing proposed arrangements for the distribution of homelessness grant funding, including rough sleeper and domestic abuse grant funding, received from the Government for the financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29.  Members were asked to note that the report had been scrutinised in detail at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, where the proposals had received support and a request had been made for arrangements to be introduced to monitor use of the funding on an ongoing basis.

Reference was made to the impact that homelessness grant funding had had in recent years and Members were asked to note that this had been used effectively, resulting in a reduction in costs associated with use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation.  There were four organisations that received a significant amount of the funding, including Redditch Borough Council, which had allocated some funds to support the employment of particular officer posts.

In discussing the matter, Members commented that homelessness was a complex issue which extended beyond, although included, consideration of rough sleeping.  The Council’s preferred approach was to attempt to take action that would help to prevent homelessness from occurring.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Bill Hartnett and seconded by Councillor Juma Begum.

Pay Policy 2026 – 2027

Members were advised that there was a statutory requirement for an annual report to be presented to Council in respect of the pay awarded to staff at the authority.  There was a need for the authority to be transparent about pay scales as well as to remain competitive in order to attract and retain staff.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Jane Spilsbury and seconded by Councillor Ian Woodall.

Independent Remuneration Panel Recommendations 2026/27

The Independent Remuneration Panel’s (IRP) report in respect of proposed allowances payable to Members in the 2026/27 financial year was presented for Council’s consideration.

Members were advised that in reaching their conclusions, the IRP had reviewed current allowances and had also considered benchmarking data.  Based on the evidence that had been gathered, the IRP was proposing that the basic allowance payable to Councillors should increase to £6,095 in 2026/27 as well as changes to the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) payable to Councillors in particular positions of authority.  Council was informed that Members did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68