Agenda

Budget, Council - Wednesday, 25th February, 2026 7.00 pm

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Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Rachel Everitt Democratic Services

Items

No.

Item

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Council are requested to declare any interests which they have in any items or issues before the Council for determination.

MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

To receive communications from the Mayor and any announcements by the Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive on matters of interest to the Council.

MINUTES PDF 278 KB

Attached for approval, minutes of the meetings held on:

21 January 2026

26 January 2026

Additional documents:

Minutes of Previous Meeting , item 4. PDF 289 KB

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME PDF 464 KB

To answer questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given, on any matter relevant to the Council or its services to the community. Up to 30 minutes will be set aside for this purpose. If time permits, further questions will be invited from members of the public present.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF CABINET AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Committee/Date	Subject	Recommendation
Cabinet – 15 January 2026	Youth Justice Business Plan	The plan has been submitted for approval
Employment Panel – 3 February 2026	Pay Policy	1. Commend the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27 for approval by full Council. 2. Agree the Council’s proposed pay structure for 2026-27 as set out within the statement and inclusive of revised non-consolidated pay supplements to retain compliance with the Real Living Wage rate of pay. Classification Open Item No. 2 3. Also, to agree ongoing uplifts to retain compliance with the Real Living Wage if required.
Employment Panel – 3 February 2026	Chief Officer Recruitment	That the Employment Panel proposes that Council approve that a Market Supplement of £5k (total maximum remuneration of £101,251) be applied to the post of Assistant Director - People and Inclusion
Cabinet – 11 February 2026	Annual HRA Budget 2026/27 & Rent Setting	Approve the 2026/27 budget for the Housing Revenue Account Agree and approve the proposed HRA Capital Investment Plan for 2026/27. Approve the setting of individual social formula rents for 2026/27 based on the current National Social Rent Policy, giving a real rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026 (being September 2025 CPI (Consumer Price Index) 3.8% plus 1%). Approve the setting of individual actual affordable rents for 2026/27 based on the current National Social Rent Policy, giving a real rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026. Approve shared ownership rents to be increased by RPI (as at February 2026) plus 0.5% in line with provisions set out within shared ownership agreements with effect from 1 st April 2026. Approve an increase in Garage rents of 4.8% with effect from 1st April 2026. Approve an increase in Sheltered Management and Support Charges of 4.8% from 1 st April 2026. Approve an increase in Service and Amenity Charges of 4.8% from 1st April 2026. · Approve an increase in Support and Heating charges of 4.8% from 1st Apri l 2026. Approve an increase in Furnished Tenancy charges of 4.8% from 1st April 2026. · Approve continuation of the policy that when a social rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level will be revised to match the formula rent (target rent) for that property. Note in accordance with the Rent Standard, that where an affordable rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be set by reference to 80% of the market rent (including service charges where applicable) for a similar property at the time of letting or the formula rent for the property, whichever is the greater. Approve in principle in line with Government’s commitment confirmed in January 2026, the re-introduction of Rent Convergence for Bury’s HRA stock, which will come into effect from April 2027, with an additional rent charge of £1 per week in 2027-28, and £2 per week from 2028-29 onwards until Rent Convergence is achieved. Note that Government has confirmed its commitment to the re-introduction of rent ... view the full agenda text for item 6.