Council publishes a balanced budget for 2025/26, with car parking charges frozen and significant investment in local services

Brentwood Borough Council has published its budget proposals for the next financial year (April 2025 to March 2026). The proposed budget will be discussed by councillors at the Finance & Resources committee on Tuesday 4 February, before going to Ordinary Council the following week.

The proposals set out how the Council intends to manage the increasing cost of delivering vital services, and be prepared for any external financial pressures, whilst still being able to invest, maintain and develop services over the coming year and beyond. Overall the proposal is for a balanced budget. The budget proposal, along with the Council Tax proposal for 2025/26 and Fees and Charges will be taken to Ordinary Council on Thursday 13 February for agreement.

To maintain and invest in vital services, the proposal is to increase the Brentwood Borough Council element of Council Tax by 2.99% for 2025/26. This would equate to a charge of a Band D property increasing by 11.77 pence per week or £6.12 per annum for Brentwood Borough Council services. This increase is largely in line with Borough and District Council’s across Essex. Rents will increase by 2.7% which equates to an increase of £3.03 per week. The rent money will be used to reinvest back into the housing stock and deliver the repairs programme.

The budget has £750k of investment items for 2025/26 which include:

• £135,000 on staffing investment to our CCTV coverage.
• £68,000 to help deliver economic development priorities
• £100,000 in locality grants for local groups and organisations
• £68,000 to increase capacity in our planning team
• £50,000 to help relieve the burden on healthcare services
• £85,000 on street cleansing initiatives, including increased bin collection

Cllr David Kendall, Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee at Brentwood Borough Council said: “Financially the Council is in a good position, where we are looking to set a balanced budget, invest in key areas and freeze car parking charges in council owned car parks. Whilst this is a good position to be in, it doesn’t happen by accident – it is what the Joint Administration has planned and prepared for since we took control of the Council.

“We have followed the historic precedent on Council Tax changes that mean a typical band D property will see an increase of just 12p per week, whilst making sure we maintain and enhance our services to residents.”

The Council is also making large capital investments in the Brentwood Centre, key Community sites and our Play Areas across the Borough.

Councillor Kendall added: “Whilst there is some uncertainty around what local government reorganisation will mean in the future, we will continue to listen to residents on their priorities and what they want local services to deliver now and for the future.

“Two years ago I inherited a deficit budget as Finance Chair, I am proud to have now reversed that risky course and proposed two budgets that invest in Brentwood, while balancing the books in these tough economic times.”

Following debate at the Finance & Resources Committee on Tuesday 4 February, the proposed budget will go to Ordinary Council on Thursday 13 February.