Have your say on Brent’s draft budget for next year

Have your say on Brent’s draft budget proposals to shape how the council spends its money for the year ahead.

Councils across London are facing a series of unprecedented financial challenges, caused by a perfect storm of continued high inflation, rapidly increasing demand for services and reduced government funding since 2010.

In the capital, 90% of boroughs are expected to overspend on their budgets this year, according to London Councils.

Brent is not immune to these pressures, with an expensive adult social care bill getting more so every year because of an ageing population as well as soaring levels of homelessness, with around 150 new families presenting as homeless most weeks.

On top of £210m of cuts made since 2010, a further £8m must be saved between 2024-25 and 2025-26.

The council has pulled together several budget proposals which aim to protect the services residents rely on most as far as possible and protect the organisation’s longstanding healthy financial position. It is now asking for local people’s views on these proposals.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Over a decade of austerity and rapidly rising demand for the services we provide has pushed council finances to the brink.

“Councils in London face a £400m shortfall in funding this year alone. This means balancing our budget will be the hardest it has ever been.

“Brent Council has successfully balanced our budget with £210m of cuts over the last 13 years – but we are running out of options.

“In the last year, Brent increased the supply of new homes more than anywhere else in the country. Yet this supply cannot keep pace with the tsunami of demand, with hundreds of new families facing homelessness each week.

“Our draft budget proposals for next year aim to ensure every penny is spent safeguarding the borough’s most vital services and securing financial stability for the years to come. There are some tough choices to make and the road ahead will not be easy.

“Please take part in the consultation and help us get this right."

Proposals in the draft budget include a 4.99% increase in council tax, with 2% ring-fenced for adult social care.

To support families who may struggle to pay council tax, the council will continue to invest in the Council Tax Support Scheme which provides £32m of support to more than 26,000 households.

Read the draft budget to find out more about the proposals and have your say.