Treasury Management Strategy
Councils are currently focused on managing rising debt from capital programmes and adapting investment strategies to changing interest rates.
Hounslow Council's total external debt surged to £664.41 million in September 2026, primarily due to borrowing for its capital programme, according to its Treasury Management Annual Report for 2025/26. This follows a rise to £608.6 million in July 2025 for similar reasons. Redbridge Council's net borrowing also increased to £447.371 million in July 2026, though its treasury management activities exceeded investment benchmark returns for 2025/26.
Councils are also adapting their investment strategies. In February 2026, Richmond upon Thames Council updated its strategy to reflect falling interest rates, proposing additional Money Market Funds for flexibility. Greenwich Council's Cabinet reviewed its Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 in February 2026, considering financial pressures on the Housing Revenue Account. Lewisham Council's Public Accounts Select Committee discussed its strategy in September 2026.
Treasury Management Strategies outline how local authorities manage their financial investments and borrowing. Kensington and Chelsea Council streamlined its strategy in September 2025 to provide greater flexibility in securing loans, addressing contract regulations that could delay transactions. Councils aim to ensure compliance with these strategies while managing financial operations.
Key facts
- Hounslow Council's total external debt surged to £664.41 million in September 2026. Source
- Redbridge Council's treasury management activities exceeded benchmark returns for 2025/26, achieving an average yield of 4.75%. Source
- Richmond upon Thames Council updated its treasury management strategy in February 2026 to reflect falling interest rates. Source
- Greenwich Council's Cabinet reviewed its Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27 in February 2026. Source
- Kensington and Chelsea Council streamlined its treasury management strategy in September 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.