Bexley Council is forecasting a budget overspend of £1.361 million for the financial year 2025/26, representing less than half a percent of its total net revenue budget of just over £253 million. The projected overspend was revealed at a Public Cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Despite the projected overspend, the council's financial position has improved due to the effectiveness of its financial intervention strategy, which includes measures such as a recruitment freeze. This strategy has contributed to key variances, including underspends within the Finance, HR, and Customer Services Directorate. These savings were largely due to staffing savings and continued effective management of our contractors and receiving the early payment discounts as a result of our conscious management of some of those commercial contracts.
The Place Directorate also reported a significant underspend, largely due to a recruitment freeze and effective prevention measures in social care.
Council Tax collection is currently slightly behind target, to the extent it's circa 1% away from the target.
However, the council's overall ability to collect all of our outstanding debts and liabilities over the full duration of the term remains very strong,
and it is expected to be managed effectively through the collection fund. In contrast, Business Rates collection has returned above target.
Councillor Chris Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children & Families, highlighted a reduction in the overspend within Children's Social Care, praising the team's efforts in managing pressures without cutting services. Councillor Melvin Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, acknowledged the challenges in Adult Social Care, particularly its small public health budget, and emphasised the importance of prevention and early intervention.

Further details on the council's financial performance can be found in the Revenue Budget Monitoring P10 report and the Budget Monitor January - Period 10 report.