The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Bury Council was scheduled to consider the council's draft budget for 2027/28 and the medium-term financial strategy. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from its previous meeting.

Draft 2027/28 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

The committee was scheduled to consider a detailed report outlining the council's financial position and proposals for the upcoming financial year and the subsequent two years. The report indicated a significant budget gap, with a projected deficit of £20.332 million for 2027/28, rising to a cumulative gap of £34.959 million by 2029/30. This gap was attributed to increasing demand for services, particularly in Health and Adult Social Care and Children and Young People, alongside inflationary pressures and rising borrowing costs.

The report detailed a proposed savings programme totalling £17.451 million over the period 2027/28 to 2029/30, comprising both non-policy and policy-driven decisions. New savings proposals included efficiencies in various service areas, such as the removal of the homecare charging cap, income maximisation for leisure services, and a review of street lighting to reduce energy consumption. Policy decisions requiring public consultation were scheduled to be presented, including the introduction of a garden waste subscription service, a redesign of the school crossing patrol service, and a review of the youth service establishment.

The report also highlighted the council's reliance on reserves, noting a significant reduction in their balances. It was anticipated that the council might need to explore Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address the remaining funding gap. The report outlined a timeline for budget consultation, which was scheduled to run from 19 October to 30 November 2026, with a final budget report to be presented to Council in February 2027.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to review the minutes from its meeting held on 8 September 2026. These minutes detailed discussions that were scheduled to take place regarding the Quarter 1 Finance Monitoring Report, the 2025/26 Treasury Outturn Report, and the award of a contract for the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints across Bury. The finance report was scheduled to highlight pressures within children's services and adult social care, as well as the ongoing use of agency staff to fill critical vacancies. The treasury report was scheduled to discuss the council's investment activity and borrowing arrangements amidst global financial market uncertainty. The EV chargepoint report was scheduled to detail the procurement process and contract award for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.