Exceptional Financial Support
Councils are scrutinising finances and facing calls for investigations amid concerns over financial stability.
Hillingdon Council is facing calls for a government investigation into its financial position, following a September 2025 motion from the Labour Group. This motion expressed a lack of confidence in the council leader and cabinet member for finance, citing a report from external auditors Ernst & Young and concerns over dwindling reserves.
Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a Q1 budgetary control report in September 2026, as the council has previously applied for Exceptional Financial Support. Similarly, Newham Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed its budget performance in July 2025, following a reported £41 million overspend in the previous year.
Exceptional Financial Support is a temporary government measure allowing local authorities facing severe financial difficulties to capitalise certain revenue expenditure, often to avoid a Section 114 Notice. No upcoming meetings are currently scheduled to discuss this topic.
Key facts
- Hillingdon Council faced an urgent call for a formal financial investigation in September 2025. Source
- Newham Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed budget performance in July 2025. Source
- Newham Council's July Finance Review report indicated a £41 million overspend in the previous year. 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.