Council could face £105m budget shortfall

Work to tackle the predicted shortfall is already underway

Brighton & Hove City Council says it faces a potential budget shortfall of more than £105m over the next four years.

Councillors will be presented with a detailed update on its current financial situation at a cabinet meeting on 26 September.

The council says a new report will show increased costs and demand for key services, such as adult social care and homelessness, outweigh forecasted income.

The council's deputy leader, and cabinet member for finance, Jacob Taylor 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."

'Protect key services'

Work to tackle the predicted shortfall, which includes a potential £36m deficit for the 2025-26 financial year, is already underway and the report recommends the cabinet works with senior council officers to take further action with a four-year financial plan.

The councillor said although more than £130m had been saved over a period of about a decade, a lack of funding was also to blame for the potential shortfall.

Mr Taylor explained that the council was "optimistic" about receiving more funding and "more sustainable" medium-term settlements going forward.

"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 ongoing financial pressures and continue to protect key services," he added.

This comes shorty after councillors at Eastbourne Borough Council voted to cut £3m from its 2024-25 budget.