Brighton & Hove City council has published its budget proposals for the next financial year, 2024/25.
Funding pressures are facing Local Government nationally and some high profile cases have been widely reported in the media where council’s have issued so-called Section 114 ‘bankruptcy’ notices.
In practice, local authorities cannot become insolvent because they are an arm of UK Government, however, a Section 114 notice will usually mean that significant additional government support and government intervention is entailed, meaning a loss of local democratic control.
BHCC is facing an unprecedented budget shortfall of over £30 million next year.
BHCC has now published a set of legally balanced budget proposals but this inevitably involves some difficult choices as the council ensures delivery of statutory functions, particularly in relation to safeguarding children and providing adult social care, both of which are seeing inordinate increases in costs and demands.
The budget proposals will be debated at the Budget Council meeting on 22 February 2024 which includes a proposed 4.99% Council Tax increase including a 2% Adult Social Care precept.
You can view the budget proposals here. Please contact James.Hengeveld@brighton-hove.gov.uk directly with any response by the 12th February 2024.