Cabinet

Cabinet met on 17 February 2026 to consider the outcome of the 'Time to Talk Budget' consultation and reports on the 2026-27 budget, capital strategy and treasury management strategy. The published minute records only apologies, so no decisions are recorded. The reports recommend that Cabinet notes the consultation and passes the budget, capital and treasury papers to Council on 25 February 2026.

1. Outcome of the 'Time to Talk Budget' 2026 consultation

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council asked residents which services should get priority in the 2026-27 budget, and compared the answers with Welsh Government funding. There were 1,216 responses from the survey, social media and the Citizens' Panel. Of respondents, 39.4% agreed with raising existing charges and introducing charges for services that are free now. 73.5% agreed that reviewing and transforming services matters, 87% backed reviewing the use of buildings and assets, and 88.6% backed reviewing contracts with external partners. The results will inform the final Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), the council's four-year budget plan.

   Based on the minutes, Time to Talk Budget 2026-2027 - Cover report, Time to Talk Budget Consultation Report 2026-2027 V3

2. Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2029-30

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council must set a balanced budget for 2026-27. The final local government settlement, announced on 20 January 2026, gives Bridgend an increase of 4.6%. The budget includes £11.671 million for pay and price rises and £13.602 million for service pressures, including social care and additional learning needs. It also includes £2.348 million of budget reductions, and the strategy sets a most likely savings target of £32.740 million over four years. Scrutiny committees, which are groups of councillors who check the council's decisions, asked Cabinet to lower the 4.7% council tax rise. The Cabinet response said the rise creates a contingency for unforeseen pressures, including pay.

   Based on the minutes, Final MTFS Cabinet Report Cover Report 2026-30, Annex 1 Equality impact assessment, Annex 2 WBFGA Template 2026-30, Annex 3 MTFS Strategy 2026-30 Final, Appendix A (i)- Scrutiny Budget Working Group Recommendations Responses, Appendix A (ii) Scrutiny Recommendations MTFS 2026-27, Appendix C Budget Pressures Final Settlement, Appendix D Budget Reduction Proposals 2026-2030 Final Settlement

3. Capital Strategy 2026-27 to 2035-36

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Capital Strategy is a ten-year plan for spending on buildings, schools, roads and IT, and how that spending will be paid for. The CIPFA Prudential Code, a professional code for council borrowing, requires the council to have one. The report notes that Welsh Government capital funding for 2026-27 is £4.992 million. Capital receipts from asset sales are largely committed, so funding new schemes is difficult. Borrowing would add a long-term debt and interest costs to the revenue budget.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Capital Strategy 2026-27 Report, Appendix A Capital Strategy 2026-27 to 2035-36

4. Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The strategy sets how the council borrows and invests money, and how it manages the risks involved. Treasury management means managing the council's cash, loans and investments. Interest rates have fallen from a peak of 5.25% in August 2024 and stood at 3.75% after a cut in December 2025. The council's investments are falling as reserves are used to fund capital spending, and it may need to borrow over the next three years.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet - Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27, Appendix A - Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for Absence

   Minute

   Apologies for absence were received from xxxxxxxxxx

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

3. 3

   Outcome of the Consultation 'Time To Talk Budget' 2026

   Papers: Time to Talk Budget 2026-2027 - Cover report, Time to Talk Budget Consultation Report 2026-2027 V3
4. 4

   Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2029-30

   Part of an issue followed across 6 meetings

   Papers: Final MTFS Cabinet Report Cover Report 2026-30, Annex 1 Equality impact assessment, Annex 2 WBFGA Template 2026-30, Annex 3 MTFS Strategy 2026-30 Final, Appendix A (i)- Scrutiny Budget Working Group Recommendations Responses, Appendix A (ii) Scrutiny Recommendations MTFS 2026-27, Appendix B CRA January 2026, Appendix C Budget Pressures Final Settlement, Appendix D Budget Reduction Proposals 2026-2030 Final Settlement, Appendix E Fees and Charges 2026-27, Appendix G Capital Programme, Appendix H Reserves and Balances 2026-27, Appendix I Glossary of Financial Terms MTFS, Appendix F Base Budget Breakdown 2026-27
5. 5

   Capital Strategy 2026-27 To 2035-36

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Cabinet Capital Strategy 2026-27 Report, Appendix A Capital Strategy 2026-27 to 2035-36
6. 6

   Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27

   Papers: Cabinet - Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27, Appendix A - Treasury Management Strategy 2026-27
7. 7

   Urgent Items

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Jane Gebbie, ChairpersonLabourPresent
• Eugene Caparros, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gary Haines, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Hywel Williams, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Spanswick, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Martyn Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Melanie Jayne Evans, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Neelo Farr, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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