Decision details

The report to Council provided information for the approval of the Council’s suite of Treasury Strategies for 2026/27 to 2029/30.

The report outlined the Council’s proposed suite of Treasure Strategies, which contained:

·         The Treasury Strategy which provided the framework for managing the Council’s cash flows, borrowing and investments, and the associated risks for the period.

·         The Capital Strategy which was intended to provide a high level, concise overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contributed to the provision of the Council’s Services.

·         The Investment Strategy which focused on investments made for service purposes and commercial reasons, rather than those made for treasury management.

The strategies provided an approved framework within which officers undertook the day-to-day capital and treasury activities.

Councillors P Kerry and N Barker proposed and seconded a Motion to approve the recommendations as contained within the report.

Councillor H Wetherall spoke about the general principle of centralisation of funding not allowing for local decision making, and Councillor M Thacker MBE spoke about the investment strategy and the need to get the best value long term.

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  Council approve the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix 1 and in particular:

a)    Approve the Borrowing Strategy

b)    Approve the Investment Strategy

c)    Approve the use of the external treasury management advisors Counterparty Weekly List (or similar) to determine the latest assessment of the counterparties that meet the Council’s Criteria before any investment is undertaken.

d)    Approve the Prudential Indicators.

(2)  Council approve the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix 2 and in particular

a)    Approve the Capital Financing Requirement

b)    Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2026/27

c)    Approve the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27, in particular:

Authorised Borrowing Limit            £224.18m

Operational Boundary                     £219.18m

Capital Financing Requirement    £211.07m

(3)  Council approve the Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix 3.

(4)  Council approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy at Appendix 4.