Issue

financial management

9 stories · discussed at 7 council meetings · 12 councils

Councils are currently strengthening financial oversight and governance while managing varied budget outcomes for the 2025/26 financial year.

Croydon Council's Audit and Governance Committee strengthened its oversight of treasury and internal audit functions in July 2026, a move approved by Full Council. Havering Council reported a £37.7 million underspend for the 2025/26 financial year in July 2026, which Cabinet reviewed as bolstering financial reserves due to cost controls. Bexley's Public Cabinet also discussed the 2025-26 financial year outturn in July 2026.

Haringey Council faces a projected £19 million revenue variance for the 2025/26 financial year, attributed to budget pressures and undelivered savings, according to a March 2026 update. Croydon Council plans an £874 million capital investment over six years, with £682.8 million financed through borrowing, as detailed to Cabinet in February 2026. Lewisham Council approved its 2026/27 budget in February 2026, including housing investment and a 4.99% Council Tax increase.

Tower Hamlets Council addressed concerns about 'significant weaknesses' in its governance and financial management in March 2026, following an external auditor's report in December 2025. Barking and Dagenham Council is updating its financial regulations to align with the Procurement Act 2023, agreed in July 2025. Financial management involves the planning, organising, directing, and controlling of financial activities such as procurement and utilisation of funds.

Key facts

  1. Havering Council reported an underspend of £37.7 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Source
  2. Croydon Council's Full Council approved strengthened oversight for its Audit and Governance Committee on 20 July 2026. Source
  3. Haringey Council faces a projected revenue variance of £19 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Source
  4. Croydon Council plans an £874 million capital investment over six years. Source
  5. External auditor Ernst & Young LLP found 'significant weaknesses' in Tower Hamlets Council's governance and financial management in December 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.

Latest stories

  1. Audit committee oversight strengthened Croydon Council's Audit and Governance Committee has significantly strengthened its oversight of the council's treasury and internal audit functions, a move prompted by new... Croydon 23 July 2026
  2. Havering Council Reports £37.7m Underspend, Bolstering Financial Reserves Havering Council has significantly bolstered its financial reserves, reporting an underspend of £37.7 million for the 2025/26 financial year. This positive financial outturn,... Havering 10 July 2026
  3. Bexley's Roads Ranked Seventh Nationally Due to Deeper Repair Methods Bexley's roads have been ranked seventh nationally for their condition, according to a recent report presented to the Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Bexley 19 March 2026
  4. Haringey Council Faces £19m Revenue Variance Due to Budget Pressures and Undelivered Savings Haringey Council is facing a projected revenue outturn variance of £19 million for the General Fund in the 2025/26 financial year, according to the Quarter 3 finance update. Haringey 14 March 2026
  5. Croydon Council plans £874m capital investment Croydon Council has unveiled plans for an £874 million capital investment over the next six years, as detailed in its General Fund Capital Programme for 2025-31. The ambitious... Croydon 1 March 2026
  6. Lewisham Council Approves 2026/27 Budget with Housing Investment and Tax Cap Lewisham Council has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year, which includes a significant capital investment programme and a commitment to a Council Tax cap of 5%.... Lewisham 13 February 2026
  7. Tower Hamlets Auditor Finds 'Significant Weaknesses' in Financials and Governance; Council Responds Tower Hamlets Council is grappling with 'significant weaknesses' in its governance and financial management, according to a new report from external auditor Ernst & Young LLP... Tower Hamlets 5 December 2025
  8. Barking and Dagenham Council Reviews Financial Regulations to Comply with Procurement Act 2023 Barking and Dagenham Council is updating its financial regulations to align with the Procurement Act 2023, a move agreed upon at the Assembly meeting on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.... Barking and Dagenham 25 July 2025