The London Borough of Bexley last night (4 March 2026) set a balanced budget for the year ahead that ‘improves services, supports the vulnerable and puts our residents first’.
Despite growing pressures on services, economic uncertainty and ‘brutal’ cuts to Bexley’s grant funding - and while many councils are having to seek exceptional financial support or raise council tax above the referendum limit - Bexley’s efficiency and track record of sound financial management means it can balance its books and invest more in the local services that matter to its residents.
This was the message from Councillor David Leaf, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation, as he presented the 2026/27 budget to Full Council.
The meeting agreed the budget, which will invest more than £587m in day-to-day services in 2026/27, as well as £252m over four years through the capital programme – including £145m in 2026/27.
In total, the Council will be spending in revenue and capital an average of about £2m per day.
The budget for the next financial year will include:
- more than £5m for Adult Social Care placements
- over £14m for those facing hardship through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme
- nearly £8m for prevention of homelessness
- £0.650m to provide travel assistance to growing numbers of children and young people with SEND
The capital investment programme will include:
- over £30m over four years in highways to repair, resurface and restructure roads and pavements
- £2.5m for playground improvements
- £2m to improve local libraries
- £1m for community centres
- £0.75m for expanding our assisted technology in care provision
- £0.5m for the continued rollout of Family Hubs to support families in the Borough
Background papers explain how, as part of its sound financial management, the Council is delivering a transformation programme that focuses on optimising how the Council operates, continues to challenge its efficiency and effectiveness, and embraces innovation. The programme addresses financial pressures through:
- preventative action and efficient access to services
- simple and effective service design
- ensuring value for money across all expenditure
Transformation efficiencies of £3.630m are identified for 2026/27.
To supplement this transformation programme, the Council is carrying out a series of comprehensive service reviews for all those functions that have fallen outside the programme. Total savings of £8.269m are identified for 2026/27.
Councillor David Leaf, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation, said:
This is a balanced budget that invests more in the services that matter to our residents, it ensures that our borough’s finances are sustainable and resilient, and it puts the needs of our Great Borough’s people and communities first.
At a time of growing pressures on services and economic uncertainty and chaos, other local authorities are struggling to balance their books. But Bexley is able to manage its finances effectively and efficiently.
The Government has imposed brutal cuts to Bexley’s grant funding and allocated the money to other councils. Had our share of grant funding from the Government stayed, as per the current formula, we’d have millions more in grant.
While we’re angry and will keep lobbying for more, we will not shirk from our responsibilities to set a balanced budget.
This is a clear set of financial plans that invests in our borough, maintains the sound and prudent financial management we’ve gained a reputation for over the last 20 years, and backs the aspirations and ambitions of our residents.
It is a budget that improves services, supports the vulnerable and puts our residents first. It’s a budget that continues to deliver on our mission to Make Bexley Even Better for next year and beyond.”
Note to Editors
The Full Council approved an increase in Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept of 4.99%. This will increase Bexley’s Band D Council Tax to £1,855.85.
Residents’ Council Tax bills will include further amounts for the Greater London Authority and other London wide services. The Mayor of London’s share of the Council Tax is £510.51 – an increase of 4.10%.
The papers for, and live recording of, the Full Council meeting are available on the London Borough of Bexley website: