General Fund balance
Councils are currently addressing significant budget overspends and projected deficits, impacting their General Fund balances.
Westminster City Council's Cabinet discussed an £8.2 million overspend in its 2025/26 General Fund revenue in July 2026, which will be funded from the General Fund balance. This comes as the council faces a projected £161 million budget gap by 2030. In June 2026, Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a £26.8 million General Fund overspend for the 2025/26 financial year.
Bromley Council's Executive was informed in March 2026 of a projected £16.16 million budget overspend for 2025/26, expected to reduce its General Fund balance by £12 million. Meanwhile, Newham Council's Audit and Governance Committee heard in July 2026 that ambitious financial projections have led to hundreds of millions of pounds in capital project delays for 2025/26.
The General Fund balance represents the unrestricted funds held by a local authority, available for general purposes, day-to-day services, and to cover unforeseen expenditure. No upcoming meetings are currently scheduled to discuss this topic.
Key facts
- Westminster City Council's Cabinet discussed an £8.2 million overspend in its 2025/26 General Fund revenue in July 2026. Source
- Newham Council is facing hundreds of millions of pounds in capital project delays for the 2025/26 financial year. Source
- Bromley Council's Executive was informed in March 2026 of a projected £16.16 million budget overspend for 2025/26. Source
- This overspend is expected to lead to a £12 million reduction in Bromley Council's General Fund balance. Source
- Westminster City Council faces a projected budget deficit of £161 million by 2030. 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.