The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 20 October 2026 discussed the council's financial forecast for Quarter 2 2026/27, noting a projected £9.0m overspend on the General Fund, primarily driven by pressures in Housing Needs and Support and Service Reform and Strategy. The committee also reviewed the Council Tax collection and debt recovery performance, acknowledging an improving in-year collection rate but a persistent high level of historic arrears, and received an update on the Brent Climate and Ecological Emergency Programme, focusing on the proposed strategy refresh for 2026-2030 and ongoing engagement with communities.

Quarter 2 Financial Forecast 2026/27

The committee was presented with the Quarter 2 financial forecast for 2026/27, which indicated a projected £9.0m overspend on the General Fund revenue budget, an improvement of £0.5m since Quarter 1. This overspend is largely attributed to pressures within Residents and Housing Services (£7.7m), particularly Housing Needs and Support, and Service Reform and Strategy (£1.6m). Mitigation actions are underway, including the identification of £2.7m in-year savings. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is forecasting a £3.5m overspend due to increased demand for repairs and maintenance, and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) faces a significant £20.8m deficit in the High Needs Block. The Capital Programme is forecasting expenditure of £258.1m against a revised budget of £267.7m, with the variance mainly due to slippage. Councillor Gwen Grahl, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, highlighted the challenging economic environment, including rising inflation and interest rates, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis impacting residents and service delivery.

Council Tax Collection and Debt Recovery Performance

The committee reviewed the Council Tax collection and debt recovery performance, noting an improving in-year collection rate for 2026/27, with £132.8m collected by 30 September 2026, exceeding previous years' performance. However, this represented a £1.5m shortfall against the target. Brent's collection rate remains low compared to other London boroughs, with a significant historic debt of £92.9m. The council's approach aims to balance support for residents in hardship with proportionate recovery from those able to pay but unwilling to engage. New measures include an eight-person Proactive Collections Team to intervene earlier, improved customer data, flexible payment plans, and digital communications. Direct Debit take-up has increased to 73%. Support for residents includes Council Tax Support (CTS), a £1.5m Hardship Fund, and specific reductions for those with terminal illnesses and care leavers. The committee heard that historic arrears have reduced, but the overall debt balance remains a challenge.

Brent Climate and Ecological Emergency Programme and Strategy Update

An update was provided on Brent's Climate and Ecological Emergency programme, focusing on emissions reduction, nature and biodiversity, and climate resilience. The council is proposing to refresh its Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy for 2026-2030, with a public engagement period running until 16 November 2026. The strategy aims to retain five key themes: Consumption, Resources and Waste; Sustainable Travel; Homes, Buildings and the Built Environment; Nature and Green Space; and Supporting Communities. Key delivery priorities have been proposed under each theme, with an emphasis on community involvement and equity. The report highlighted significant achievements, including an 18% reduction in borough-wide territorial carbon emissions since 2019 and the installation of 1,312 electric vehicle charge points. Challenges remain, particularly around funding, the lack of statutory powers for local authorities on climate action, and the need for significant behaviour change. The council is also updating its Climate Adaptation and Resilience Framework to address extreme weather events.

Scrutiny Progress Update - Recommendations Tracker

The committee reviewed the Scrutiny Recommendations Tracker, noting the status of previous recommendations, suggestions for improvement, and information requests. Several recommendations to Cabinet regarding budget savings, financial forecasting, and debt recovery were noted as accepted or updated, with ongoing monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place. A recommendation to review the extent of CIL funding used for highways maintenance and explore TfL funding opportunities was awaiting a response. The committee also received updates on the High Streets Strategy, Parking Policy Review, and the development of a highways dashboard.

Other Matters

The committee also received updates on the establishment of a Budget Scrutiny Task Group for the 2027/28 budget proposals and noted the contents of the Scrutiny Recommendations Tracker.