Test Valley Borough Council
Councillors:
43
Wards:
21
Committees:
17
Meetings (2026):
29
Meetings (2025):
92
Meeting
Cabinet - Test Valley
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
5:30 PM
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
5:30 PM
End:
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
9:30 PM
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
25 Feb 2026
25 Feb 2026
Location:
Conference Room 1, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover SP10 3AJ
Conference Room 1, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover SP10 3AJ
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chairman
Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Recycling and Environmental Services Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Climate Emergency and Countryside Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Democracy and Governance Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Delivery Lead - Community Led Projects Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Housing and Enivronmental Health Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Community, Leisure and Tourism (including Diversity and Inclusion) Portfolio Holder
Committee Member
Planning Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil Bundy
Present, as expected
Chairman
Leader and Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships Portfolio Holder
Councillor Phil North
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor K North.
2
Public Participation
Minutes
There was no public participation.
3
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
4
Urgent Items
Minutes
There were no urgent items.
5
Minutes of the previous meeting
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026.
Attachments:
- Document $$Minutes 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 were proposed by Councillor P North and seconded by Councillor Flood.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 were signed as a correct record.
Resolved:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 were signed as a correct record.
6
Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
There were no recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Minutes
There were no recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
7
Quarterly Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/26
Finance and Resources
This report compares actual revenue income and expenditure against profiled budget for the nine months ended 31 December 2025. The annex to the report summarises the reasons behind the most significant of the variances identified.
This report compares actual revenue income and expenditure against profiled budget for the nine months ended 31 December 2025. The annex to the report summarises the reasons behind the most significant of the variances identified.
Attachments:
- Document Quarterly Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025.26 Report 17 Feb 2026
- Document Quarterley Revenue - Annex 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which reviewed the Council’s revenue spending for the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year.
The report also examined the main differences between the original estimate for 2025/26 and the actual spend to 31 December 2025 and provided explanations for significant variances. Overall, net expenditure to 31st December 2025 was £1.257M lower than budgeted at this stage of the year. This is due to lower than estimated net expenditure across the services of £672,000 and £585,000 more income being generated from the Council’s investing and borrowing activities.
The report did not make any recommendations for changes to budgets at this stage in the year and therefore the recommendation is that the current budget position be noted.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
1. That the financial position for each Service and the key revenue areas contained in the Annex to the report, is noted.
2. That the Treasury Management update in paragraph 4 of the report, be noted.
The report also examined the main differences between the original estimate for 2025/26 and the actual spend to 31 December 2025 and provided explanations for significant variances. Overall, net expenditure to 31st December 2025 was £1.257M lower than budgeted at this stage of the year. This is due to lower than estimated net expenditure across the services of £672,000 and £585,000 more income being generated from the Council’s investing and borrowing activities.
The report did not make any recommendations for changes to budgets at this stage in the year and therefore the recommendation is that the current budget position be noted.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Resolved:
1. That the financial position for each Service and the key revenue areas contained in the Annex to the report, is noted.
2. That the Treasury Management update in paragraph 4 of the report, be noted.
8
Asset Management Plan Update
Finance and Resources
To provide an update on the progress of the 2025/26 Asset Management Plan (AMP) and to recommend the items to be included in the AMP for 2026/27.
To provide an update on the progress of the 2025/26 Asset Management Plan (AMP) and to recommend the items to be included in the AMP for 2026/27.
Attachments:
- Document 2526 Asset Management Report Feb 26 v3 17 Feb 2026
- Document Asset Management Feb 26 Annex - NEW LAYOUT 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which provided an update on the approved 2025/26 Asset Management Plan (AMP) and recommended the projects to be included in the 2026/27 budget. The report also provided an update on the financing of AMP projects, including a forecast of the balance on the Asset Management Reserve at 31 March 2027.
All Council land, vehicle and IT assets have been reviewed to ensure that those included on the draft programme are the most appropriate at this time.
For this reason, it was recommended that the items shown in Annex 1 to the report are included in the revised AMP for 2025/26 and the items shown in Annex 2 to the report are included in the AMP for 2026/27.
Asset management needs to have flexibility due to the difficulty of knowing exactly when an item will need repair or replacement. In order to ensure that operational efficiency is not impaired it was recommended that controlled safeguards are built into the financing of the AMP to ensure that unforeseen works can be undertaken without undue delay.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the revised 2025/26 and original 2026/27 Asset Management Plan requirement, as shown in annexes 1 and 2 to the report, be approved.
2. That £3M be transferred to the Asset Management Reserve from the Collection Fund Equalisation Reserve, as set out in paragraph 9.7 of the report.
3. That the Director of Finance and Revenues, after consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio holder and Director responsible for any project, be authorised to amend the Asset Management Plan during the year, as discussed in paragraph 7.3 of the report.
All Council land, vehicle and IT assets have been reviewed to ensure that those included on the draft programme are the most appropriate at this time.
For this reason, it was recommended that the items shown in Annex 1 to the report are included in the revised AMP for 2025/26 and the items shown in Annex 2 to the report are included in the AMP for 2026/27.
Asset management needs to have flexibility due to the difficulty of knowing exactly when an item will need repair or replacement. In order to ensure that operational efficiency is not impaired it was recommended that controlled safeguards are built into the financing of the AMP to ensure that unforeseen works can be undertaken without undue delay.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the revised 2025/26 and original 2026/27 Asset Management Plan requirement, as shown in annexes 1 and 2 to the report, be approved.
2. That £3M be transferred to the Asset Management Reserve from the Collection Fund Equalisation Reserve, as set out in paragraph 9.7 of the report.
3. That the Director of Finance and Revenues, after consultation with the Finance & Resources Portfolio holder and Director responsible for any project, be authorised to amend the Asset Management Plan during the year, as discussed in paragraph 7.3 of the report.
9
Capital Programme Update 2025/26 to 2027/28
Finance and Resources
This report provides an update on the approved Capital Programme.
This report provides an update on the approved Capital Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Capital Programme Report Cabinet v2 17 Feb 2026
- Document Capital Programme Annex 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which provided an update on the progress of the existing 2025/26 Capital Programme and included forecast changes to its timescale and total cost.
The Capital Programme has been updated to show schemes that have been approved since the last update. One new scheme was recommended for approval in the update. There are only relatively minor changes to the most recent update that was approved in November 2025.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
That the revised estimates and financing for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme, as shown in the Annex to the report, be approved.
The Capital Programme has been updated to show schemes that have been approved since the last update. One new scheme was recommended for approval in the update. There are only relatively minor changes to the most recent update that was approved in November 2025.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
That the revised estimates and financing for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme, as shown in the Annex to the report, be approved.
10
Revenue Budget and Council Tax Proposals 2026/27
Finance and Revenues
To recommend the Council’s Revenue Budget and Council Tax Proposals 2026/27
To recommend the Council’s Revenue Budget and Council Tax Proposals 2026/27
Attachments:
- Document Budget Report 17 Feb 2026
- Document Budget - Annexes 1-5 17 Feb 2026
- Document Budget - Annex 6 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which presented proposals for the final Revenue Budget and Council Tax for the financial year 2026/27. The report builds on previous budget information and options for changes in service delivery that were presented to Cabinet in November 2025 and the local Government Finance Settlement.
The headline financial figures in the report were:
· Band D Council Tax 9excluding Parishes and Special Expenses) to be increased by £5.00 to £173.91.
· Income generation and revenue savings proposals totalling £1.253M and
· Additional spending pressures on services of £2.912M.
The final recommendations arising from the meeting for the Budget and Council Tax for 2026/27 would be considered by Council on 26 February 2026.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the Forecast for 2025/26, as set out in Column 3 of Annex 1 to the report, be noted.
2. That the Income Generation Proposals, Savings Options and Revenue Pressures, as set out in Annexes 2 and 3 to the report, be approved.
3. That the transfers to / from reserves as detailed in paragraph 4.47 of the report, be approved.
4. That subject to recommendations 2 and 3 above and taking due regard of the Director of Finance & Revenues’ comments in Annex 6 to the report, the budget for 2026/27, as set out in Column 6 of Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
5. That a Council Tax Requirement for 2026/27 of £12,325,566 be approved.
6. That a Special Expenses Levy of £363,626 be made in respect of the area of Andover to cover the cost of providing burial grounds, sports grounds and playgrounds.
7. That a general precept of £9,234,969 be levied for the year 2026/27.
8. That a Band D Council Tax, excluding Parishes and Special Expenses, of £173.91 in 2026/27 be approved.
9. That the Medium-Term Forecast contained in Annex 5 to the report, be noted.
The headline financial figures in the report were:
· Band D Council Tax 9excluding Parishes and Special Expenses) to be increased by £5.00 to £173.91.
· Income generation and revenue savings proposals totalling £1.253M and
· Additional spending pressures on services of £2.912M.
The final recommendations arising from the meeting for the Budget and Council Tax for 2026/27 would be considered by Council on 26 February 2026.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the Forecast for 2025/26, as set out in Column 3 of Annex 1 to the report, be noted.
2. That the Income Generation Proposals, Savings Options and Revenue Pressures, as set out in Annexes 2 and 3 to the report, be approved.
3. That the transfers to / from reserves as detailed in paragraph 4.47 of the report, be approved.
4. That subject to recommendations 2 and 3 above and taking due regard of the Director of Finance & Revenues’ comments in Annex 6 to the report, the budget for 2026/27, as set out in Column 6 of Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
5. That a Council Tax Requirement for 2026/27 of £12,325,566 be approved.
6. That a Special Expenses Levy of £363,626 be made in respect of the area of Andover to cover the cost of providing burial grounds, sports grounds and playgrounds.
7. That a general precept of £9,234,969 be levied for the year 2026/27.
8. That a Band D Council Tax, excluding Parishes and Special Expenses, of £173.91 in 2026/27 be approved.
9. That the Medium-Term Forecast contained in Annex 5 to the report, be noted.
11
Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2026/27
Finance and Resources
This report sets out the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategies for 2026/27. This includes forecasts of future interest rates and the criteria that institutions must meet before being considered for inclusion on the Council’s lending list.
This report sets out the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategies for 2026/27. This includes forecasts of future interest rates and the criteria that institutions must meet before being considered for inclusion on the Council’s lending list.
Attachments:
- Document TMSS 26-27 Cabinet 17 Feb 2026
- Document TMSS Annex 1 17 Feb 2026
- Document TMSS - Annex 2 17 Feb 2026
- Document TMSS - Annex 3 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which presented the Council’s Treasury Management strategy for 2026/27. The strategy is prepared in accordance with the 2021 Prudential Code. The strategy sets out the criteria within which cash surpluses can be invested and how external borrowing will be managed should the Council choose to take on debt in the year.
The report and annexes showed how the Council plans to minimise its risks to the current economic climate by stipulating creditworthiness requirements on lenders and limiting the maximum amount available to be invested at any one time.
Borrowing costs are currently limited to the interest payable on long-term borrowing on PWLB loans. There is no additional borrowing expected in the period covered by this strategy.
The major objectives of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 are:
· To manage effectively and control the risks associated with treasury management activities.
· To invest prudently having regard to the security and liquidity of investments and the predictability of returns.
· To achieve the optimum return on investments commensurate with the proper levels of security, liquidity and protection of capital.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and the Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27, as set out in the report, be approved.
2. That the Minimum Revenue Provision policy, as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report, be approved.
3. That the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
The report and annexes showed how the Council plans to minimise its risks to the current economic climate by stipulating creditworthiness requirements on lenders and limiting the maximum amount available to be invested at any one time.
Borrowing costs are currently limited to the interest payable on long-term borrowing on PWLB loans. There is no additional borrowing expected in the period covered by this strategy.
The major objectives of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 are:
· To manage effectively and control the risks associated with treasury management activities.
· To invest prudently having regard to the security and liquidity of investments and the predictability of returns.
· To achieve the optimum return on investments commensurate with the proper levels of security, liquidity and protection of capital.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
1. That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and the Annual Investment Strategy for 2026/27, as set out in the report, be approved.
2. That the Minimum Revenue Provision policy, as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report, be approved.
3. That the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be approved.
12
Capital Strategy Update 2025/26 - 2030/31
Finance and Revenues
This report provides an update on the approved Capital Programme.
This report provides an update on the approved Capital Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Capital Strategy Update Report 17 Feb 2026
Minutes
Consideration was given to a report of the Finance and Resources Portfolio Holder which set out the Capital Strategy framework within which all Council capital expenditure is approved, monitored and financed. The CIPFA Prudential Code requires that it be reviewed and updated annually. The report also provided an update of the existing Capital Strategy and included forecast changes to its timescale and total cost.
The Capital Strategy sets out the extent of the Council’s forecast capital expenditure over the next five years. The main drive of the strategy is to ensure that future capital expenditure is prudent, sustainable and affordable. The current forecast for future capital expenditure can be fully financed from known or anticipated balances without the need for further borrowing.
Regular reviews will be carried out to identify potential assets for disposal in order to generate capital receipts.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
That the Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2030/31 be approved.
The Capital Strategy sets out the extent of the Council’s forecast capital expenditure over the next five years. The main drive of the strategy is to ensure that future capital expenditure is prudent, sustainable and affordable. The current forecast for future capital expenditure can be fully financed from known or anticipated balances without the need for further borrowing.
Regular reviews will be carried out to identify potential assets for disposal in order to generate capital receipts.
Having considered the options and for the reasons set out in the report, the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor P North. Cabinet agreed to the following:
Recommended:
That the Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2030/31 be approved.
Future Meetings
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