Overview & Scrutiny
Subject: General Fund Budget Planning & Resource Update - 2026-27 to 2029-30
Date of meeting: 15th September 2025
Report of: Chair of People Overview & Scrutiny
Contact Officer: Name: Luke Proudfoot
Email: luke.proudfoot@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 This report to People Overview & Scrutiny Committee is to update members on the current budget position and includes the General Fund Budget Planning & Resource Update 2026-27 to 2029-30 report taken to Cabinet in July 2025.
1.2 This is to keep members informed and to provide greater understanding of the council’s current budget position ahead of further scrutiny on more detailed budget proposals closer to Budget Council in February 2026.
2.1 People Overview & Scrutiny Committee to note the report.
3.1 As part of the Council’s budget setting process members are being updated on the latest financial position of the council to enable them to be up to date and have a greater understanding of the current situation ahead of any proposed budget changes in February 2026.
3.2 The attached appendices that were taken to the July 2025 Cabinet meeting discuss all areas of council spending, including those that are outside of the remit of the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
3.3 The People Overview & Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference agreed by Full Council on 16 May 2024 set out the remit of the committee as:
· Adult Social Care
· Council Public Health services (in accordance with Regulation 28 of the
Local Authority (Public Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny)
Regulations 2013 for scrutiny of the Council’s health functions.
· Life Events, including bereavement and registration services
· Communities and Equalities
· Children & Young People services
· Council Local Education Authority functions
· Adult Skills & Learning
· Library services
· Housing Needs, Homelessness and Tenant/Resident services
· Any other services within the scope of the Council’s Housing, Care and
Wellbeing and Families, Children and Learning directorates which are not
included in the terms of reference of another Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
3.4 Members are therefore asked to consider these areas specifically, as well as more general areas such as council tax, when considering the attached appendices and asking questions at committee.
3.5 A similar report will be taken to Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 22 September 2025 to consider areas within their remit.
3.6 The Council’s budget setting process will include an opportunity for members of People Overview & Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the proposed council budget for 2026-27 in advance of Budget Council in February 2026.
4.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report however as mentioned in the Cabinet report at appendix 1 the setting of the General Fund budget in February allows all parties to engage in the examination of budget proposals and put forward viable alternative budget and council tax proposals, including amendments, to Budget Council on 26 February 2026. Budget Council has the opportunity to debate the proposals put forward by the Cabinet at the same time as any viable alternative proposals.
5.1 None for this scrutiny report.
6.1 The financial implications of the council’s General Fund forecast budget position over the Medium Term Financial Strategy is set out within the main body of the report to Cabinet in July 2025, included within the appendices to this report.
Name of finance officer consulted: Haley Woollard
Date consulted: 29/08/25
7.1 There are no legal implications arising from this scrutiny report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted 31/08/25
8.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report. Any significant budget changes proposed in 2026/27 will require Equality Impact Assessments to be made.
9.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report. The council’s revenue and capital budgets will be developed with sustainability as an important consideration to ensure that, wherever possible, proposals can contribute to reducing environmental impacts and support progress toward a carbon-neutral city.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report.
11. Procurement implications
11.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report.
12. Crime & disorder implications:
12.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report.
13.1 The appendices set out the General Fund Budget Planning & Resource Update given to Cabinet in July 2025.
13.2 Members are asked to note the report and question the Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration on its contents.
Supporting Documentation
1. General Fund Budget Planning & Resource Update 2026-27 to 2029-30 report to Cabinet July 2025
2. Appendix 1 to General Fund Budget Planning & Resource Update 2026-27 to 2029-30 report to Cabinet July 2025