A new report has outlined the significant financial pressures facing the council as we explore ways to make savings of more than £105 million over four years.
Councillors will be presented with a detailed update on our current financial situation at the next Cabinet meeting, which will take place at Hove Town Hall on Thursday 26 September.
The report will highlight a potential budget shortfall of more than £105 million over four years as increased costs and demand for our key services, such as adult social care and homelessness, outstrip forecasted income.
Work to tackle the predicted funding shortfall, which includes a potential £36 million deficit for the next financial year, is already underway and the report also recommends that the Cabinet work with senior council officers to take further action on a longer-term, four-year financial plan.
Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of the council and Cabinet member for Finance and City Regeneration, said: “This is a challenging time for councils across the UK and it is vital we continue to identify cost pressures, and any resulting financial shortfalls, over the short and medium term.
“Local authorities have been starved of funding for more than a decade, while demands on our services have steadily increased. This council alone has already made more than £130 million of savings in that time.
“We are optimistic we will receive additional funding, and more sustainable medium-term settlements, but it would be irresponsible of us not to assess our financial situation on a regular basis and identify ways in which we can reduce some of these on-going financial pressures and continue to protect key services.”
The full report can be accessed online now: General Fund Budget Planning and Resource Update 2025-26.pdf (brighton-hove.gov.uk)