overspend
Councils are grappling with significant overspends, particularly in children's services and due to various service pressures and income shortfalls.
Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall for 2025/26, primarily from High Needs Block pressures, as discussed in September 2026. Islington Council projects a £2.2 million overspend for 2026/27, with Children's Services forecasting the largest deficit due to rising costs for residential settings and private providers, reviewed in September 2026. Bromley Council also projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-2027, highlighting pressures in Children's Social Care placement costs and staffing, reported in September 2026.
Kensington and Chelsea Council faces a £4.5 million overspend in the first quarter of 2026-2027, with a November 2025 cyber attack cited as a primary cause, including £2.750 million in direct costs, heard in September 2026. Lewisham Council projects a £6.5 million overspend for the current financial year, largely due to escalating parking contract costs, discussed in September 2026. Redbridge Council forecasts an £8.485 million overspend for 2026-2027, attributed to temporary accommodation pressures and a significant parking income shortfall, reported in September 2026.
Lambeth Council projected an £11 million overspend in July 2026, partly due to income shortfalls from cancelled summer events and unachievable sports facility targets. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet are scheduled to discuss the topic on 7 October 2026. Overspend refers to spending more money than was budgeted or allocated.
Key facts
- Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million schools funding shortfall for 2025/26, discussed in September 2026. Source
- Kensington and Chelsea Council faces a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-2027, heard in September 2026. Source
- Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-2027, reported in September 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council projects a £6.5 million overspend for the current financial year, discussed in September 2026. Source
- Islington Council projects a £2.2 million overspend for 2026/27, reviewed in September 2026. 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.