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64. Lord Mayor's Opening Remarks

The Lord Mayor welcomed all in attendance to the February Budget Council meeting. He particularly welcomed Councillor Anna Perrett to her first Council meeting since been elected as Ward Member for Heworth following the by-election on 15 January 2026.

The Lord Mayor highlighted that this evening was the first game for York Knights in the Super League. A message had been sent to the owner and Chairman to convey best wishes on behalf of City of York Council (CYC).

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65. Apologies for Absence

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Vassie.

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66. Declarations of Interest

Councillor Coles declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 9, Council Tax Resolution 2026/27, in her capacity as Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime for York and North Yorkshire.

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67. Minutes

Resolved: That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting

and the Ordinary Council Meeting, both held on 6 November 2025,

be approved and then signed as a correct record.

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68. Civic Announcements

The Lord Mayor provided an update on the Lord Mayor’s Commendation Scheme, which had been established to recognise extraordinary contributions from individuals across local communities. The closing date for nominations was 2 March 2026. Further information could be found on the Council’s website.

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69. Public Participation

The Lord Mayor reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Gwen Swinburn expressed concern that Members had been reliant on statutory advice that did not address a significant liability already set out in the accounts. That Members must have regard to the Chief Financial Officer's advice on both the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the reserves before setting the budget. This was set out in section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003.

It was reported that there was a need to make multiple million-pound savings whilst the general fund reserves stood at just £7.4m, which was described as the minimum level. The first call on those reserves was any significant savings not achieved. Section 25 wording remained substantively unchanged from last year and concluded that the minimum reserves were adequate. Yet the draft statement of accounts disclosed a contingent equal pay liability linked to continuing task and finish working practice. There was concern that the section 25 advice contained no reference to the contingent liability. That there was no explanation of how that exposure had been factored into the robustness of the accounts and the reserves assessment.

It was reported that at Southampton, equal pay exposure arose from similar task and finish arrangements to CYC in waste services. LGA peer challenge identified liabilities as up to £52m, which required exceptional financial support from central government. An increasing number of local authorities across the UK were dealing with liabilities measured in tens of millions. There was concern that CYC could be facing a bill of £10m to £30m.

It was stated that Members were being asked to approve a budget that was reliant on minimum reserves, dependent on significant savings delivery, and where the section 25 advice did not set out how the disclosed contingent liability had been assessed within that judgment. That this matter had not been clearly set out in the budget papers. And that without clear and substantive briefing and knowledge, Members were unable to properly exercise their statutory oversight responsibilities.

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70. Petitions

There were no petitions to consider on this occasion.

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71. Recommendations of Executive in relation to the Capital Programme - Monitor 3 2025/26

Councillor Douglas moved and Councillor Kilbane seconded the following recommendation made at the Executive meeting held on 27 January 2026:

Resolved (unanimously) – That Executive

a) Recommends to Full Council the adjustments resulting in a decrease in the 2025/26 budget of £23.432m as detailed in the report.

b) Approves the allocation of £40k from contingency to fund a Changing Places Toilet at SEND Central Family Hubs.

c) Approves the purchase of £162k property to support the Rough Sleeping Programme funded from grant.

d) Notes the 2025/26 revised budget of £139.034m as set out in paragraph 10 and Table 1 of the report.

e) Notes the restated capital programme for 2025/26 – 2029/30 as set out in Annex 1 of the report.

Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the Council’s capital programme.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved – That the above recommendation be approved.

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72. Recommendations of Executive in relation to the Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31, Capital Budget 2026/27 to 2029/30, Capital Financing and Investment Strategy, and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27 - 2030/31

Councillor Douglas moved and Councillor Kilbane seconded, the following recommendations made by Executive at its meeting on 27 January 2026 in relation to:

i) The Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31 (Revenue Budget)

ii) The Capital Budget 2026/27 to 2029/30

iii) The Capital Financing and Investment Strategy

iv) The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27 to 2030/31.

Revenue Budget

Executive recommends that Council:

i. Approves the budget proposals outlined in the Financial Strategy report and in particular:

· The net revenue expenditure requirement of £187.009m.

· A council tax requirement of £127.181m.

· The revenue growth proposals as outlined in paragraphs 75 to 77.

· The 2026/27 revenue savings proposals as outlined in

annex 2.

· The fees and charges proposals as outlined in annex 3.

· The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 2026/27 budget set out in annex 5.

· The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) proposals outlined from paragraph 168.

· The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Policy set out in annex 7, including delegation to the Director of Finance to determine the costs that can be charged to the transformation programme.

ii. Notes that the effect of approving the income an expenditure proposals included in the recommendations would result in a 4.99% increase in the City of York Council element of the council tax, 2% of which would relate to the social care precept.

Reason: To ensure a legally balanced budget is set.

Capital Budget 2026/27 to 2029/30

Executive recommends that Council approves the budget proposals outlined in the Capital Budget 2026/27 to 2029/30 and in particular:

i. Agree to the revised capital programme of £382.998m that reflects a net overall increase of £42.180m (as set out in table 2 and in Annex 1). Key elements of this include:

· New schemes funded by prudential borrowing totalling £0.785m as set out in table 3.

· Extension of prudential borrowing funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £1.125m as set out in table 4.

· Extension of externally funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £37.950m as set out in table 7.

· An increase in HRA funded schemes totalling £2.320m funded from a combination HRA balances/capital receipts as set out in table 8.

ii. Note the total increase in Council borrowing as a result of new schemes being recommended for approval is £0.179m the details of which are considered within this report and the financial strategy report.

iii. Approve the full restated programme as summarised in Annex 2 totalling £382.998m covering financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in table 13 and Annex 2.

Reason: To ensure a legally budget is set and that the capital programme is fully funded.

Capital and Investment Strategy

Executive recommends that Council:

i. Approve the Capital and Investment Strategy at Annex A.

Reason: To meet the statutory obligation to comply with the

Prudential Code 2017.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential

Indicators

Executive recommends that Council approve:

i. The treasury management strategy for 2026/27 including the annual investment strategy and the minimum revenue provision policy statement.

ii. The prudential indicators for 2026/27 to 2029/30 in the main body of the report.

iii. The specified and non-specified investments schedule (annex B).

iv. The scheme of delegation and the role of the section 151 officer (annex D).

Reason: To enable the continued effective operation of the treasury management function and ensure that all council borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable.

Liberal Democrat Amendment

Councillor Ayre moved and Councillor Widdowson seconded, the following amendment from the Liberal Democrat Group:

Revenue Budget

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the revenue budget (paragraph 13i of pages 45 and 46 of Council papers refers):

In bullet point 3 add at the end of the sentence subject to the following amendments:

· £600k increase in Library Service Budget.

· £300k (£222k recurring and £78k one off) additional funding to frontline services.

· £100k one-off additional discounts to Green Waste charges.

· £300k one-off reduction in parking charges.

· £150k one off budget to reinstate Dial & Ride Service in 2026/27 (funded by Public Health Grant).

· £50k revenue budget for Treasury Management to fund additional £588k capital investment.

· £52k one off budget for Community Skips.

· £250k one off additional budget to support residents with healthy food and weight management (funded by Public Health Grant).

· Remove £30k one off budget for paper based CYC communications.

In bullet point 4 add at the end of the sentence subject to the following amendments:

· Delete additional Executive Support Assistant to Political Groups – £32k.

· Reduction in Chief Officer roles, grades and capacity – £118k.

· Reduction of two Executive Members – £42k.

· Delete posts in the communications team – £84k.

· Restructure posts in Democratic Governance – £25k.

· Reduction in the ICT budget – £150k.

· No longer fund Economic Development with the ambition of this being passed to the Combined Authority – £140k.

· Reduction in revenue spend resulting from removing £2m from the capital budget (£1m Fleet replacement and £1m IT) – £170k.

· Reduce budget for usage of phones – £5k.

· Deliver alternative funding model for Policy & Strategy team – £76k.

· Review of proportion of senior management staff funded by grants / capital – £30k.

Add additional bullet points to paragraph 13(i)

· The use of £400k from the Public Health Reserve.

· The use of £200k from the CYT/WWY Reserves and the use of £300k of Make it York Reserves subject to Board approvals.

· Redistribute the City-Wide Ward Committee budget into individual ward allocations.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and declared LOST.

(The meeting adjourned at 7.30pm for a short break and reconvened at 7.45pm.)

Conservative Amendment (1 of 2)

Councillor Steward moved and Councillor Nicholls seconded, the following amendment from the Conservative Group.

Revenue Budget

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the revenue budget (paragraph 13i of pages 45 and 46 of Council papers refers):

In bullet point 1 delete ‘£187.009m’ and replace with ‘£186.989m’.

In bullet point 2 delete ‘£127.181m’ and replace with ‘£127.161m’.

In bullet point 3 add at the end of the sentence subject to the

following amendments:

· £1,935k (one off) impact of reinstating a free first garden bin collection service for 2026/27.

· £50k Park fund (one off) split £25k York Central and £25k York Outer.

· £10k (one off) to provide free compost bins to be collected by the public.

· £100k revenue cost of adding £1m capital to the Highways Budget.

· £100k (one off) budget for Parking incentives.

· £25k (one off) Farmers Hardship Fund to ensure benefits are accessed.

· £150k establish non-parished community fund to be spent locally.

· Remove £30k (one off) for paper based CYC communications.

· Remove £20k (one off) for continuation of the filmmaking in schools’ project.

· Remove £90k (one off) additional Community Caretakers Capacity.

· Remove £50k (one off) funding for community events in parks and community spaces.

In bullet point 4 add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the

following amendments’:

· Outsource management of the Mansion House – £25k.

· Outsource Adult Social Care Personal Support – £60k.

· Outsource Adult Social Care Day Support – £38k.

· Outsource Flaxman Avenue services – £26k.

· Reduce CCTV budget – seek funding from North Yorkshire Police – £100k.

· Delete posts in Democratic Governance – £92k.

· Delete budget for Our City – £10k.

· Reduction in Chief Officer roles and capacity – £200k.

· Reduce Executive Special Responsibility Allowances by 25% - £57k.

· Delete posts in the corporate policy team – £105k.

· Delete posts in the communications team – £150k.

· Reduce overtime budget – £100k.

· Delete post in Equalities Team – £52k.

· Delete posts in the Communities Team – £160k.

· Reduction in ICT budget – £150k.

· No longer fund Economic Development – £140k.

· Reduction in council publicity – £30k.

· Review of staff travel – £20k.

· Remove school crossing patrols where other physical measures in place – £20k.

· Delete Community Caretakers scheme (£150k).

Add additional bullet point to paragraph 13

· The use of £200k from CYT/WWY Reserves and £300k from MIY Reserves to fund one off growth (subject to board approval).

In paragraph 13 ii) third line, delete ‘4.99%’ and replace with ‘4.97%’.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and declared LOST.

Conservative Amendment (2 of 2)

Councillor Nicholls moved and Councillor Steward seconded, the following amendment from the Conservative Group.

Revenue Budget

In relation to the Executive’s recommendations on the revenue budget (paragraph 13i of pages 45 and 46 of Council papers refers):

In bullet point 3 add at the end of the sentence ‘subject to the

following amendments’:

· £38k revenue cost of adding £250k capital to the Highways budget.

· £90k additional funding for pothole repairs in the Highways budget.

In bullet point 4 add at the end of the sentence subject to the

following amendments:

· Delete Political Assistants posts – £86k.

· Reduction of two Executive Members – £42k.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and declared LOST.

(Councillor Burton left the meeting at the conclusion of the second Conservative amendment.)

After debate, a named vote was taken on the original recommendations.

The vote was as follows:

	For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Ayre		1
Councillor Baxter	1
Councillor Clarke	1
Councillor Coles	1
Councillor Crawshaw	1
Councillor Cullwick		1
Councillor Cuthbertson		1
Councillor Douglas	1
Councillor Fenton		1
Councillor Fisher		1
Councillor Healey		1
Councillor Hollyer		1
Councillor Hook		1
Councillor Kent	1
Councillor Kilbane	1
Councillor Knight		1
Councillor Lomas	1
Councillor Mason		1
Councillor Melly	1
Councillor Merrett	1
Councillor Moroney	1
Councillor Myers	1
Councillor Nelson	1
Councillor Nichols		1
Councillor Orrell		1
Councillor Pavlovic	1
Councillor Perrett	1
Councillor Ravilious	1
Councillor Rose	1
Councillor Rowley			1
Councillor Runciman		1
Councillor Smalley		1
Councillor Steels-Walshaw	1
Councillor Steward		1
Councillor Taylor	1
Councillor Waller		1
Councillor Wann		1
Councillor Warters		1
Councillor Watson		1
Councillor Waudby		1
Councillor Webb	1
Councillor Wells	1
Councillor Whitcroft	1
Councillor Widdowson		1
Councillor Wilson	1

Totals:	23	21	1

The original recommendations were therefore declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved: That Executive’s recommendations to Council be approved.

(Councillor Warters left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.)

(The meeting adjourned for a short break at 9.00pm and reconvened at 9.05pm.)

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73. Council Tax Resolution 2026/27

Councillor Douglas moved and Councillor Lomas seconded, the Council Tax resolution for 2026/27, the details of which were set out in the Council papers under agenda item 9.

A named vote was required on the Council Tax Resolution 2026/27.

The vote was as follows:

	For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Ayre	1
Councillor Baxter	1
Councillor Clarke	1
Councillor Coles	1
Councillor Crawshaw	1
Councillor Cullwick	1
Councillor Cuthbertson	1
Councillor Douglas	1
Councillor Fenton	1
Councillor Fisher	1
Councillor Healey	1
Councillor Hollyer	1
Councillor Hook	1
Councillor Kent	1
Councillor Kilbane	1
Councillor Knight	1
Councillor Lomas	1
Councillor Mason	1
Councillor Melly	1
Councillor Merrett	1
Councillor Moroney	1
Councillor Myers	1
Councillor Nelson	1
Councillor Nichols	1
Councillor Orrell	1
Councillor Pavlovic	1
Councillor Perrett	1
Councillor Ravilious	1
Councillor Rose	1
Councillor Rowley			1
Councillor Runciman	1
Councillor Smalley	1
Councillor Steels-Walshaw	1
Councillor Steward	1
Councillor Taylor	1
Councillor Waller	1
Councillor Wann	1
Councillor Watson	1
Councillor Waudby	1
Councillor Webb	1
Councillor Wells	1
Councillor Whitcroft	1
Councillor Widdowson	1
Councillor Wilson	1

Totals:	43	0	1

The motion was declared CARRIED, and it was

Resolved:

i) That it be noted that on 28 November 2025 the Chief Finance Officer, under her delegated authority, calculated the council tax base for the year 2026/27:

a) for the whole Council area as 69,978.60 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

b) for those dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in column 1 in the attached Schedule A.

ii) Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2026/27 (excluding Parish precepts) is £127,181,207.

iii) That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2026/27 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a) £605,666,340 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

(b) £477,278,872 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c) £128,387,468 being the amount by which the aggregate at 10(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 10(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act].

(d) £1,834.67 being the amount at 10(c) above [Item R], all divided by Item T (8(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts).

(e) £1,206,261 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Schedule A).

(f) £1,817.43 being the amount at 10(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 10(e) above by Item T (8(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates.

iv) To note that the Mayoral Combined Authority (including Fire and Rescue Services) and the Mayor in regards to Policing has issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated in the tables below.

v) That the Council, in accordance with sections 30 and 36 of the Act, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below, and at Schedule B for Parished areas, as the amounts of council tax for 2026/27 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

City of York Council

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,211.62	1,413.56	1,615.49	1,817.43	2,221.30	2,625.18	3,029.05	3,634.86

Mayoral Policing Precept

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
223.91	261.22	298.54	335.86	410.50	485.13	559.77	671.72

Mayoral General (including Fire and Rescue)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
77.75	90.70	103.66	116.62	142.54	168.45	194.37	233.24

Aggregate of Council Tax Requirements (excluding Parished Areas)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,513.28	1,765.48	2,017.69	2,269.91	2,774.34	3,278.76	3,783.19	4,539.82

vi) Determine that the Council’s basic amount of council tax for 2026/27 is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB of the Act. As the billing authority, the Council has not been notified by a major precepting authority that its relevant basic amount of council tax for 2026/27 is excessive and that the billing authority is not required to hold a referendum in accordance with Section 52ZK Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Reason: In order to set a balanced budget and council tax charge by the statutory deadline.

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74. Pay Policy Statement 2026/2027

The Director of Governance submitted a report which presented for approval the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27.

Councillor Douglas moved and Councillor Lomas seconded the recommendations contained in the report:

Resolved (unanimously):

a) That the Council approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2026 – 2027.

Reason: In order to fulfil the requirements of Section 38 – 43 of the Localism Act 2011 for the Council to produce and publish an annual policy statement that covers a number of matters concerning the pay of the Council’s senior staff, principally Chief Officers and relationships with the pay of the rest of the workforce.

b) Notes that there will be a revised pay policy statement presented to full council after the appointment of the new Chief Executive in April 2026.

Reason: The Council is required to republish a pay policy statement where there are significant changes to pay structures or

management arrangements. This ensures compliance with the statutory requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

c) Notes that on approval the Pay Policy statement will be published on the Council’s website.

Reason: For compliance with the statutory requirements of the

Localism Act 2011.

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75. Appointments and Changes to Membership

The Director of Governance submitted a report which invited Members to consider and agree changes to membership of committees and outside bodies.

Resolved – That Council

i) Agrees the appointment of Councillor John Moroney as an additional member of the Fostering Panel.

ii) Notes the group nominations to Committees, as well as appointments to the Chair of the Place Scrutiny Committee, as follows:

· Appointment of Chair of Place Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Danny Myers.

· Appointment of Councillor Anna Perrett, to both the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and the Licensing Committee.

· Councillor Margaret Wells to move from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to the Place Scrutiny Committee.

· Councillor Anna Baxter to move from the Place Scrutiny Committee to the Planning Committee.

· Councillor Tony Clarke to move from the People Scrutiny Committee to the Place Scrutiny Committee.

· Appointment of Councillor Danny Myers to the People Scrutiny Committee.

iii) Notes the appointment of Parish Councillor, Pam Mullen to the Kyle and Upper Ouse Internal Drainage Board.

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76. Urgent Business

There was no urgent business to consider.

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Councillor Martin Rowley BEM

LORD MAYOR OF YORK

(The meeting started at 6.30 pm and concluded at 9.15 pm)

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Acomb Ward	Bishopthorpe Ward

Lomas Rose	Nicholls
Clifton Ward	Copmanthorpe Ward

Myers Wells	Steward
Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward	Fishergate Ward

Fenton Mason Widdowson	Whitcroft Wilson
Fulford and Heslington Ward	Guildhall Ward

Ravilious	Clarke Melly Merrett
Haxby and Wigginton Ward	Heworth Ward

Cuthbertson Hollyer Watson	Douglas Perrett Webb
Heworth Without Ward	Holgate Ward

Ayre	Kent Steels-Walshaw Taylor
Hull Road Ward	Huntington and New Earswick Ward

Baxter Moroney Pavlovic	Cullwick Orrell Runciman
Micklegate Ward	Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward

Burton Crawshaw Kilbane	Warters
Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward	Rural West York Ward

Smalley Wann Waudby	Hook Knight
Strensall Ward	Westfield Ward

Fisher Healey	Coles Nelson Waller
Wheldrake Ward