Decision - General Fund Draft Budget and Resources Update – 2026-27 to 2029-30
Decision maker
—
Report author
John Hooton
Published
28 Jan 2026
Reference
7567
As published
the council's own words, uneditedRESOLVED – That the Audit, Standards, and General Purposes Committee note the draft budget report set out in Appendix 1 to this report having provided comment on the draft budget report, specifically in respect of the Council's arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness, putting in place sound budget management and ensuring the long term financial sustainability of the organisation.
Parsed from the document
gpt-5.6-luna-2026-07-09 · 17857/1948 tokens · 14389ms · parsed 8 Sep 2026 11:36
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The report updates Brighton & Hove City Council’s financial forecasts and sets out draft savings and transformation plans for 2026/27 to 2029/30. It identifies budget gaps of more than £86 million over the medium-term period and seeks approval to extend the Innovation Fund and release earmarked reserves into a general risk reserve.
Recommendation
Cabinet was recommended to note the updated forecasts, budget gaps, draft savings proposals and draft Equality Impact Assessments; approve extending the Innovation Fund to 2029/30 with additional funding of £8.140 million; approve releasing £1.041 million of earmarked reserves into a new general risk reserve; and note that balanced budget proposals and updated financial projections would be brought forward in February 2026.
Financial impact
The report identifies a budget gap of £24.926 million for 2026/27, draft savings of £12.446 million, a remaining 2026/27 gap of £12.480 million, and budget shortfalls totalling £86.658 million over the MTFS before savings proposals. It also recommends £8.140 million of additional Innovation Fund funding and the release of £1.041 million of earmarked reserves.
Ward affected
city-wide
Decision maker
Cabinet
Date in document
11 Dec 2025
Stakeholders named
parsed
residentsbusinessesvisitorscouncil staffrecognised trade unionsservice userspartnersbusiness representativescommunity and voluntary sectorschools and academiestenantsleaseholdersEast Sussex Fire and Rescue ServiceRegulator of Social HousingNHS Sussex Integrated Care System
Next steps
parsed- Update the MTFS following the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement expected during the week commencing 15 December 2025.
- Continue developing savings and transformation proposals to address the remaining budget gaps.
- Undertake consultation and engagement with residents, service users, staff, unions, partners, businesses, schools and the community and voluntary sector.
- Present final Equality Impact Assessments to Cabinet and Budget Council in February 2026.
- Bring balanced General Fund budget, Council Tax and Medium Term Financial Strategy proposals to Cabinet and Budget Council in February 2026.
- Bring the Housing Revenue Account budget and business plan to Cabinet for approval in February 2026.
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