Issue - meetings
THIRD QUARTER CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING REVIEW 2025/26
Meeting: 14/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 46)
46 THIRD QUARTER CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING REVIEW 2025/26 
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES
To update Cabinet on progress with delivering the capital programme for 2025/26, as at the end of December 2025.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
(1) Noted the forecast expenditure of £23.350M in 2025/26 on the capital programme, paragraph 8.3 refers.
(2) Approved the adjustments to the capital programme for 2026/27, as a result of the revised timetable of schemes detailed in table 2 and 3, increasing the estimated spend by £3.011M.
(3) Approved a change of scope to the Priory Gardens Bandstand project from renovation to rebuild and an increase of the budget in 2026/27 by £0.025M.
(4) Noted the position of the availability of capital resources, as detailed in table 4 paragraph 8.6 and the requirement to keep the capital programme under review for affordability.
REASON FOR DECISIONS: Cabinet is required to approve adjustments to the capital programme and ensure the capital programme is fully funded.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 2 hours 10 minutes 50 seconds
In the absence of the Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, the Chair invited Councillor Ian Albert, as Executive Member of Resources, to present the referral and report entitled ‘Third Quarter Capital Budget Monitoring Review 2025/26’. Councillor Albert advised that:
· There had not been many questions raised at the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and there had been a discussion around the replacement of the Priory Gardens Bandstand.
· The Independent Member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee had noticed a discrepancy between the two papers on the value of assets which had now been rectified.
· A revised timetable for the list of the schemes in the 2025/26 Capital Programme which would have an impact on the budget in 2026/27 was set out in Table 2 of the report.
· The underspend in the cost of the Fibre Waste Bins was detailed in Table 3 of the report.
· The £16 million required to fund the Capital Programme would be met from internal borrowing as set out in Table 4 of the report.
· The Priory Gardens Bandstand replacement project approved by Cabinet would require an increase in the budget to allow this project to proceed.
· Details of how the Council would fund the Capital Programme was detailed in paragraph 8.6 of the report.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Tamsin Thomas
· Councillor Donna Wright
In response to questions, the Director – Resources advised that:
· After 1 April 2028 it would be for the new unitary authority to decide what projects would proceed.
· The current timescales for Oughtonhead Common Wier were still valid.
The following Members took part in the debate:
· Councillor Amy Allen
· Councillor Daniel Allen
Points raised during the debate included:
· The replacement of the Priory Gardens Bandstand would be of benefit to the whole community of Royston as it was used for many different events.
· The new play equipment installed at the Howard Park Gardens in Letchworth was a great benefit to the local community.
Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Amy Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was:
RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
(1) Noted the forecast expenditure of £23.350M in 2025/26 on the capital programme, paragraph 8.3 refers.
(2) Approved the adjustments to the capital programme for 2026/27, as a result of the revised timetable of schemes detailed in table 2 and 3, increasing the estimated spend by £3.011M.
(3) Approved a change of scope to the Priory Gardens Bandstand project from renovation to rebuild and an increase of the budget in 2026/27 by £0.025M.
(4) Noted the position of the availability of capital resources, as detailed in table 4 paragraph 8.6 and the requirement to keep the capital programme under review for affordability.
REASON FOR DECISIONS: Cabinet is required to approve adjustments to the capital programme and ensure the capital programme is fully funded.