Cabinet Forward Plan April 2026 — March 2027
Document Details
The Cabinet Forward Plan for April 2026 to March 2027 is the Council’s rolling 12-month programme of anticipated key decisions, published in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. Updated and republished on the first of each month, the Forward Plan is one of the Council’s most important transparency tools, enabling Members, residents, businesses, and partner organisations to anticipate significant Council decisions and engage in the consultation and scrutiny processes that precede them.
The 2026–27 Forward Plan identifies fifteen key decisions across four quarters. In Quarter 1 (April to June 2026), the plan covers the Revenue Budget Monitoring outturn for 2025/26, the adoption of the Housing Strategy 2026–2030, the award of the Leisure Management Contract, and the ICT Infrastructure Replacement Programme Phase 2. Together, these decisions involve significant financial commitments and long-term service planning implications.
Quarter 2 (July to September 2026) includes the Quarter 1 budget monitoring report, a review of the Local Development Scheme, the Social Care Commissioning procurement strategy, and approval of Town Centre public realm improvements — reflecting the Council’s commitment to economic regeneration and balanced service delivery. Quarter 3 (October to December 2026) focuses on the preparation of the 2027/28 budget proposals for consultation, a waste service specification review, the Community Safety Partnership Annual Plan, and the Quarter 2 financial performance report.
Quarter 4 (January to March 2027) covers the formal adoption of the 2027/28 budget, the Annual Audit and Risk Report, and the appointment of external auditors. The Forward Plan is available on the Council website and at the Civic Centre, and the Democratic Services team welcomes enquiries from residents and stakeholders about any item listed.The Cabinet Forward Plan for April 2026 to March 2027 is the Council’s rolling 12-month programme of anticipated key decisions, published in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. Updated and republished on the first of each month, the Forward Plan is one of the Council’s most important transparency tools, enabling Members, residents, businesses, and partner organisations to anticipate significant Council decisions and engage in the consultation and scrutiny processes that precede them.
The 2026–27 Forward Plan identifies fifteen key decisions across four quarters. In Quarter 1 (April to June 2026), the plan covers the Revenue Budget Monitoring outturn for 2025/26, the adoption of the Housing Strategy 2026–2030, the award of the Leisure Management Contract, and the ICT Infrastructure Replacement Programme Phase 2. Together, these decisions involve significant financial commitments and long-term service planning implications.
Quarter 2 (July to September 2026) includes the Quarter 1 budget monitoring report, a review of the Local Development Scheme, the Social Care Commissioning procurement strategy, and approval of Town Centre public realm improvements — reflecting the Council’s commitment to economic regeneration and balanced service delivery. Quarter 3 (October to December 2026) focuses on the preparation of the 2027/28 budget proposals for consultation, a waste service specification review, the Community Safety Partnership Annual Plan, and the Quarter 2 financial performance report.
Quarter 4 (January to March 2027) covers the formal adoption of the 2027/28 budget, the Annual Audit and Risk Report, and the appointment of external auditors. The Forward Plan is available on the Council website and at the Civic Centre, and the Democratic Services team welcomes enquiries from residents and stakeholders about any item listed.