Today, Brent Council launched a consultation on its budget for the next financial year. The new proposals include a series of behind-the-scenes changes, in order to deliver a £10 million financial plan and safeguard the frontline services that local communities rely on.
Councils across the country face large budget gaps, with the financial outlook for local government in London especially challenging due to a high demand for services creating big pressures.
Brent, like the majority of councils in England, is proposing council tax increases of 4.99% for 2026/27. This is made up of a 3% general increase and a 2% adult social care precept.
The proposed behind-the-scenes changes are all about working more efficiently and effectively, and include:
- Using data to spot and help people earlier, before they get into a crisis.
- Harnessing technology, including AI, to get more done in a day and save cash.
- Making it easier and quicker for residents to contact the council online at a time that suits them, freeing up council staff and resources to spend on things residents care about, like cleaner streets and community safety.
- Getting better deals with suppliers, cutting office costs, promoting apprenticeships and using empty council buildings to bring in extra income.
- Teaming up with local charities, community groups and other public sector partners, to tackle issues in smarter, more joined-up ways.
Even as savings are being made, Brent continues to invest in the local priorities’ residents care about - from cleaner streets, to safer communities and better public spaces. The council is using money generated by new homes built by developers in the borough to install new CCTV cameras, fill more potholes, and to buy more trees ready to plant in spring.
