Bracknell Forest Council is reviewing its budget situation as it faces a multi-million pound budget shortfall in the coming years.
Bracknell Forest Council is facing a serious financial crisis, with a projected £18.75 million budget shortfall over the next three years.
A recent report indicates that funding cuts are expected due to the Labour government’s ‘Fairer Funding Review 2.0’, which unfairly impacts areas like Bracknell Forest.
The council's cabinet, made up of Labour councillors, is set to create a financial strategy for the 2026/27 budget later this year. Council leader Mary Temperton expressed concern, stating, “Local government has been seriously underfunded for years.”
She highlighted that the funding review disproportionately affects wealthier areas, leaving Bracknell Forest to face a significant funding gap while trying to maintain essential services.
Temperton warned that even with careful planning and savings, difficult decisions will need to be made to address the £18.75 million gap.
During a presentation on September 23, Sandhurst Councillor John Edwards suggested that the council could start by cutting its net-zero carbon policies. He questioned the spending on these initiatives, particularly the recent switch to HVO biofuel for some council vehicles, which is more expensive than diesel.
Edwards asked, “How much is being spent on net-zero projects when there’s such a large deficit?” and urged the council to consider prioritising essential services over environmental projects.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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