No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025 (enclosed)

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record. 

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Senior Democratic Services Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

No requests were received.

To consider the report of the Council Tax Income & Debit Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.     That the Tax Base for the year 2026/27 be set at 34,926.50

2.     The amount calculated by Blaby District Council as the Council Tax Base for each of the District’s Parishes for the year 2026/27 as detailed in Appendix C of the report.

3.     That the Tax Base be prepared without taking into account special expenses under Section 34a and 35 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Reasons:

1.     The Council is statutorily required to set its base each year by 31st January before the subject year.

2.     To enable the Tax Base to be prepared without taking into account special expenses as explained below.

Considered – Report of the Council Tax Income & Debt Manager.

Other Options Considered:

None – the setting of the Council Tax Base is a statutory requirement.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.     That the amount calculated by Blaby District Council as its National Non- Domestic Rate Base for the financial year 2026/27 is £53,963,339.

2.     That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director (Section 151) in consultation with the Finance, People and Transformation Portfolio Holder to make amendments, if required, to the draft National Non-Domestic Rate Base prior to submission of the NNDR1 return by 31st January 2026.

Reasons:

1.     The Council has a statutory obligation to set its National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) Base for 2026/27 by 31st January 2026.

2.     It is appropriate for the Executive Director (Section 151) to have authority to amend the National Non-Domestic Rate Base in line with the finalised NNDR1 submission, to ensure that all known factors are considered.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other Options Considered:

None. The setting of the NNDR Base is a statutory requirement.

To consider the report of the Accountancy Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.     That the latest forecast in respect of the 2025/26 establishment be accepted.

2.     That the proposed establishment budget for 2026/27 be approved.

3.     That additional resource requirement for 2026/27 as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report be approved.

Reason:

The cost of the establishment is a significant part of the Council’s overall budget and members are asked to consider and approve the budget for the next financial year. The final establishment costs will be incorporated into the General Fund budget for consideration in February 2026.

Considered – Report of the Accountancy Services Manager. 

Other Options Considered:  

Not to produce a separate report on establishment costs ahead of the main budget proposals. This option is not considered appropriate given that the establishment budget constitutes such a significant proportion of core costs.