Social Value Ideas for Blaby District Council

Committee Approval of Audited Financial Statement

Committee voted unanimously to grant delegated authority to Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with Audit and Corporate Governance Committee chair to approve and sign-off council…

“2.2 Two is the recommendation that the committee grants delegated authority to the executive director section 151 officer in consultation with the cha…”

Disclaimed Audit Opinion - Multi-Year Buildback Required

Council unable to receive unmodified audit opinion on 2024-25 accounts due to audit assurance gap from prior disclaimed audit years (2020-2023). External auditors Assets implementing national audit of…

“Um so you remember our audit plan that we presented to you earlier in the year um set an expectation that we would be disclaiming the opinion for the …”

Strong year-end financial surplus

The council ended 2025-26 with a surplus of just over £1.6 million, replacing an earlier forecast draw on balances. This was driven partly by delayed staffing and project spend, higher housing benefit…

“The quarter three, which was presented in February this year, the forecast that forecast a contribution from balances of 240,689. However, as at the 0…”

Finance Team and External Auditor Collaboration Meeting

Planned meeting between council finance team (led by Katie Hollis) and external auditors Assets to review audit working papers and identify process improvements. Focus areas include: understanding are…

“Um and this is all up on page six is that step two of an analyzing your reserves over the disclaimer period. We were able to do that to um help build …”

Pension Fund Actuarial Valuation Assurance Gap

Council cannot receive audit assurance on pension fund valuations until the triennial actuarial valuation due in 2025-26 is completed. The current 2024-25 accounts are based on an actuarial valuation …

“the reason that we can give a an opinion is um so there's an acturial valuation done on your pension fund and the accounts reflect the results of that…”

Quarter 3 Capital Program 2025-26 Approval

Capital program updated to £8.3 million with £2.8 million spent by 31 December 2025. Program includes regeneration property investment for homelessness accommodation and other capital schemes across t…

“This report provides members of the council with an update of expenditure against the capital program up to the 31st of December 2025. It seeks approv…”

General Fund Budget 2026-27 Approval

Balanced general fund budget of £19.2 million approved for 2026-27. Budget includes significant increases driven by rising homelessness pressures and introduction of food waste service. Relies on net …

“Despite this, a balance balanced budget of 19.2 million has been set. This reflects significant increases from the 202526 budget driven by rising home…”

5-Year Capital Program 2026-27 to 2030-31

Approved 5-year capital program totaling £19.5 million over the period. Comprises invest-to-save schemes (including regeneration property for homelessness), essential schemes with contractual commitme…

“The 5-year program is substantially the same as it as that which was shared with scrutiny in December... The total estimated cost over the next 5 year…”

Council Tax Rise 2026-27

Council approved 2.99% increase in council tax for 2026-27 (maximum permitted by government referendum principles for shire districts). Band D equivalent increases to £200.62. Increase driven by gover…

“The government's referendum principles have stipulated a maximum increase of 2.99% or5 at band D level for shy districts... An increase of 2.99% will …”

Future Budget Deficit Forecasts

Medium-term financial strategy shows budget gaps forecast to reach £1.6 million in 2027-28 and £2.6 million in 2028-29, with £7.7 million of reserves planned to be released over two years to support b…

“The budget gap is forecast to rise to 1.6 million in 2027 28 even after transitional funding and a planned release of 2.1 million from reserves. By 20…”

Additional Homelessness Support Allocation

Council approved additional £500,000 allocation specifically for homelessness support, enabling identification and delivery of new initiatives to tackle homelessness pressures. This comes on top of ex…

“This amendment and delegations were proposed and approved by cabinet executive last night and enable both the timely flexible use of resources to prog…”

Significant Homelessness Demand Pressures

Council faces severe homelessness challenges requiring additional investment in temporary accommodation beyond traditional bed and breakfast provision. Multiple capital and revenue initiatives underwa…

“Members are aware of the homelessness challenges that we are currently facing and the proposal would support the council in increasing its council own…”

Darlington House Homelessness Accommodation Opening

Darlington House successfully opened providing 13 high-quality self-contained homes for homeless residents. Represents significant procurement achievement in expanding council-owned temporary accommod…

“We then had the very real pleasure of cutting the ribbon to open Darlington House which will provide high quality self-contained homes for 13 people w…”

Purchase of Six Houses for Temporary Accommodation

Council approved the purchase of six houses for temporary accommodation as part of capital program. This is part of broader homelessness strategy to reduce reliance on bed and breakfast provision and …

“The latest capital program has now increased to just over 8.3 million... approval is requested for the purchase of six houses for temporary accommodat…”