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Council - Monday 9 December 2024 7.00 pm

December 9, 2024 View on council website
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Summary

This meeting included for discussion the Council's Statement of Accounts 2023/24, the adoption of changes to the Capital Programme, a review of Treasury Management, proposed amendments to the Council’s ethical standards framework, and a motion on violence against women and girls.

Statement of Accounts 2023/24

The report pack included for discussion the Council's Statement of Accounts for 2023/24.

The Statement of Accounts says that the Council employed 1,675 people on 1st October 2023. It says that there is a projected budget gap of £16.6m in 2025/26 rising to £38.7m per annum in 2027/28, as well as an average annual Dedicated Schools Grant1 deficit of £5.3m for the same period. It says that the projections assume mitigation and transformation savings of £38.1m in 2024/25 rising to £65.3m by 2027/28.

The Statement of Accounts says that capital expenditure totalled £50.2m against a final estimate of £60.0m and that the council generated £41.9m in capital receipts. It also says that the net assets of the Pension Fund decreased by £49.0m (3.6%) during 2023/24, a result of net losses on disposals of investments and reductions in the value of investments.

The Statement of Accounts lists the Council's key strategic risks as including:

Failure to deliver a sustainable Financial Strategy which meets with Making Bromley Even Better priorities and failure of individual departments to meet budget

The Statement of Accounts also identifies six areas that require further work to monitor how the key risks facing the Council are being managed.

The Statement of Accounts includes the following comment about housing and homelessness in Bromley:

The numbers of households approaching as homeless are rising steadily year on year despite proactive prevention and partnership work to address this.

It also says:

Continuing uncertainty in the housing market means that at the present time procuring private sector accommodation has become more costly and difficult... The fall out rate is harder because there is increased competition from private renters. We are unable to procure the level that we need to meet demand. This puts an increased reliance on the provision of temporary accommodation, which is increasingly volitile; with prices escalating and supply drying up.

The document says:

The majority of out of borough placements are in other parts of London or Kent, but Bromley, along with all other London authorities, are being forced to secure homes further and further away from the borough boundaries (such as West Bromwich, Worthing and Leicester) to ensure that we are able to meet our statutory obligations in respect of Housing.

The Statement of Accounts lists the following as options being undertaken to address the budget gap:

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)2 – came into effect in June 2021 with additional income of around £1.25m in 2024/25, rising to around £1.9m compared with the 2023/24 budget. Operational Property Review/Property Disposals – the acquisition and development of new Civic Offices, a major operational property rationalisation and refurbishment programme, and identifying properties for disposal and/or used to develop housing to help fund the capital programme and mitigate significant housing growth pressures.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 2, 2024/25

The report pack included for discussion changes to the Capital Programme. The Capital Programme was initially agreed at a meeting on 27 February 2024. The report pack includes an updated Capital Programme that reflects the decisions made at meetings held on 10 July 2024 and 27 November 2024.

The report pack says that the addition of £29m for the Bellegrove Housing Development scheme to the capital programme was included for discussion. The report pack says that this scheme will create a total of 68 units with a mix of 1 to 3 bedroom properties.

It says that the addition of £2,125k to the capital programme for the purchase of a new Children's Home was included for discussion.

The report pack says that the total capital expenditure budget is £313.8m over the period 2024/25 to 2028/29, funded by capital grants and capital receipts, external borrowing and earmarked revenue reserves.

Treasury Management - Quarter 2 performance 2024/25 and Mid-Year Review

The report pack includes a report on the Council's Treasury Management performance for the second quarter of 2024/25. The report says that the Council had £321.2m of investments at 30 September 2024.

The report includes details of a loan made by the Council to Project Beckenham3 for the acquisition, refurbishment and management of affordable housing. The report says that the council loaned Project Beckenham £2.45m in 2020/21 and £1.2m in 2021/22, on top of a £2.3m loan made in 2017/18. It says that repayments of £0.96m, £0.91m and £0.91m were made in 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24, leaving an outstanding balance of £2.17m.

The report says that the Council made two investments of £10m in UK Government bonds4. The first was made on 30 November 2021 for two years at a rate of 1.84%. The second was made on 1 August 2023 for two years at a rate of 6.61%.

The report says that the Council has invested in the following pooled investment funds:

  • CCLA Local Authorities' Property Fund
  • Fidelity Multi-Asset Income Fund
  • Schroders Global Diversified Income Fund

The report says that the Council's budget for interest on investments in 2024/25 is £12.041m and that the current projection is that the outturn will be £12.441m.

Recommendations from the Standards Committee

The report pack includes for discussion proposed changes to the Council's Code of Conduct.

The report pack says that the following addition to the Code of Conduct was included for discussion:

The right to free speech under the law is the basis of democracy and will be upheld at all times and there is no right to be offended by any lawful speech.

Motion: Violence Against Women and Girls

The report pack includes for discussion a motion on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), which says that the Council has been unable to explain a drop in reporting of domestic violence of 25%. The motion calls on the Safer Bromley Partnership 5 to seek White Ribbon accreditation 6.


  1. The Dedicated Schools Grant is the money that the government provides to local authorities to fund schools. 

  2. The Community Infrastructure Levy is a planning charge that local authorities can choose to impose on new development in their area. It is designed to ensure that developers contribute towards the cost of providing infrastructure to support the development, such as new roads, schools and open space.  

  3. Project Beckenham is a partnership between Bromley Council and other organisations that aims to provide affordable housing in the borough. 

  4. UK Government bonds are debt securities issued by the UK government. When you invest in a UK government bond, you are lending money to the government. In return, the government promises to pay you back the principal amount of the bond, plus interest, over a set period of time. 

  5. The Safer Bromley Partnership is a group of organisations that work together to reduce crime and disorder in the borough. The group includes representatives from the Council, the police, the fire service, and other organisations. 

  6. White Ribbon accreditation is a national scheme that recognises organisations that are committed to ending violence against women and girls. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorFelicity Bainbridge
CouncillorFelicity Bainbridge  Vice-Chairman, Environment & Community Services PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Shortlands & Park Langley
Profile image for CouncillorYvonne Bear
CouncillorYvonne Bear  Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation & Housing •  Conservative •  St Mary Cray
Profile image for CouncillorMichael Tickner
CouncillorMichael Tickner  Chairman, Audit & Risk Management Committee and Vice-Chairman, Rights of Way Sub-Committee •  Conservative •  Beckenham Town & Copers Cope
Profile image for CouncillorColin Hitchins
CouncillorColin Hitchins  Vice-Chairman, General Purposes & Licensing Committee •  Conservative •  St Paul`s Cray
Profile image for Councillor Dr Sunil Gupta FRCP FRCPath
Councillor Dr Sunil Gupta FRCP FRCPath  Vice-Chairman, Health & Wellbeing Board •  Conservative •  Bromley Common & Holwood
Profile image for CouncillorThomas Turrell
CouncillorThomas Turrell  Vice-Chairman, Children, Education and Families PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Hayes and Coney Hall
Profile image for CouncillorHannah Gray
CouncillorHannah Gray  Conservative •  West Wickham
Profile image for CouncillorAngela Page
CouncillorAngela Page  Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Enforcement •  Conservative •  Chelsfield
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Jefferys
CouncillorDavid Jefferys  Conservative •  Bromley Common & Holwood
Profile image for CouncillorSimon Jeal
CouncillorSimon Jeal  Labour Group Leader •  Labour •  Penge and Cator
Profile image for CouncillorRuth McGregor
CouncillorRuth McGregor  Deputy Leader, Labour Group •  Labour •  Crystal Palace & Anerley
Profile image for Councillor Mike Botting
Councillor Mike Botting  Chairman, Health & Wellbeing Board and Rights of Way Sub-Committee •  Conservative •  Chelsfield
Profile image for CouncillorSophie Dunbar
CouncillorSophie Dunbar  Biggin Hill Independents •  Biggin Hill
Profile image for CouncillorWill Rowlands
CouncillorWill Rowlands  Portfolio Holder for Environment •  Conservative •  Mottingham
Profile image for CouncillorSam Webber
CouncillorSam Webber  Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrat Group •  Liberal Democrats •  Bromley Town
Profile image for Councillor Mark Brock
Councillor Mark Brock  Chairman, Adult Care & Health PDS Committee and Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee •  Conservative •  West Wickham
Profile image for CouncillorJosh King
CouncillorJosh King  Labour •  Clock House
Profile image for CouncillorAlexa Michael
CouncillorAlexa Michael  Chairman, Development Control Committee •  Conservative •  Hayes and Coney Hall
Profile image for CouncillorAlison Stammers
CouncillorAlison Stammers  Chislehurst Matters •  Chislehurst
Profile image for CouncillorDiane Smith
CouncillorDiane Smith  Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health •  Conservative •  Kelsey and Eden Park
Profile image for CouncillorKathy Bance MBE
CouncillorKathy Bance MBE  Labour •  Penge and Cator
Profile image for CouncillorChristine Harris
CouncillorChristine Harris  Vice-Chairman, Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 •  Conservative •  Kelsey and Eden Park
Profile image for CouncillorMark Smith
CouncillorMark Smith  Chislehurst Matters Group Leader •  Chislehurst Matters •  Chislehurst
Profile image for CouncillorChristopher Marlow
CouncillorChristopher Marlow  Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management and Vice-Chairman, Pensions Committee •  Conservative •  Farnborough and Crofton
Profile image for CouncillorWill Connolly
CouncillorWill Connolly  Liberal Democrats •  Beckenham Town & Copers Cope
Profile image for CouncillorRebecca Wiffen
CouncillorRebecca Wiffen  Labour •  St Paul`s Cray
Profile image for CouncillorChloe-Jane Ross
CouncillorChloe-Jane Ross  Liberal Democrat Group Leader •  Liberal Democrats •  Beckenham Town & Copers Cope
Profile image for CouncillorRobert Evans
CouncillorRobert Evans  Vice-Chairman, Audit & Risk Management Committee •  Conservative •  Farnborough and Crofton
Profile image for CouncillorAdam Jude Grant
CouncillorAdam Jude Grant  Chairman, Environment & Community Services PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Shortlands & Park Langley
Profile image for Councillor Peter Dean
Councillor Peter Dean  Chairman, Plans Sub-Committee No. 2 •  Conservative •  Kelsey and Eden Park
Profile image for Councillor Chris Price
Councillor Chris Price  Labour •  St Paul`s Cray
Profile image for Councillor Julie Ireland
Councillor Julie Ireland  Liberal Democrats •  Bromley Town
Profile image for CouncillorJosh Coldspring-White
CouncillorJosh Coldspring-White  Vice-Chairman, Renewal, Recreation & Housing PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Hayes and Coney Hall
Profile image for CouncillorHarry Stranger
CouncillorHarry Stranger  Conservative •  St Mary Cray
Profile image for CouncillorKate Lymer
CouncillorKate Lymer  Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families •  Conservative •  Bickley & Sundridge
Profile image for CouncillorTony McPartlan
CouncillorTony McPartlan  Labour •  Plaistow
Profile image for CouncillorNicholas Bennett J.P.
CouncillorNicholas Bennett J.P.  Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways & Road Safety •  Conservative •  West Wickham
Profile image for CouncillorJessica Arnold
CouncillorJessica Arnold  Labour •  Clock House
Profile image for CouncillorPauline Tunnicliffe
CouncillorPauline Tunnicliffe  Chairman, General Purposes & Licensing Committee •  Conservative •  Orpington
Profile image for CouncillorMelanie Stevens
CouncillorMelanie Stevens  Biggin Hill Independents Group Leader •  Biggin Hill Independents •  Biggin Hill
Profile image for CouncillorColin Smith
CouncillorColin Smith  Leader of the Council •  Conservative •  Bickley & Sundridge
Profile image for CouncillorKevin Kennedy-Brooks
CouncillorKevin Kennedy-Brooks  Labour •  Penge and Cator
Profile image for CouncillorGraeme Casey
CouncillorGraeme Casey  Liberal Democrats •  Bromley Town
Profile image for Councillor Alisa Igoe
Councillor Alisa Igoe  Labour •  Plaistow
Profile image for CouncillorKeith Onslow
CouncillorKeith Onslow  Chairman, Pensions Committee •  Conservative •  Petts Wood and Knoll
Profile image for Councillor Simon Fawthrop
Councillor Simon Fawthrop  Chairman, Executive, Resources & Contracts PDS Committee and Vice-Chairman, Development Control Committee •  Conservative •  Petts Wood and Knoll
Profile image for Councillor Tony Owen
Councillor Tony Owen  Chairman, Renewal, Recreation & Housing PDS Committee and Vice-Chairman, Plans Sub-Committee No. 2 •  Conservative •  Petts Wood and Knoll
Profile image for CouncillorJeremy Adams
CouncillorJeremy Adams  Labour •  Clock House
Profile image for CouncillorGemma Turrell
CouncillorGemma Turrell  Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley •  Conservative •  Shortlands & Park Langley
Profile image for CouncillorMike Jack
CouncillorMike Jack  Chislehurst Matters •  Chislehurst
Profile image for CouncillorRyan Thomson
CouncillorRyan Thomson  Labour •  Crystal Palace & Anerley
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Cartwright QFSM
CouncillorDavid Cartwright QFSM  Chairman, Public Protection & Enforcement PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Mottingham
Profile image for CouncillorShaun Slator
CouncillorShaun Slator  Chairman, Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 & Vice-Chairman, Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee •  Conservative •  St Mary Cray
Profile image for CouncillorCharles Joel
CouncillorCharles Joel  Conservative •  Farnborough and Crofton
Profile image for CouncillorKim Botting FRSA
CouncillorKim Botting FRSA  Vice-Chairman, Public Protection & Enforcement PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Orpington
Profile image for CouncillorJonathan Andrews
CouncillorJonathan Andrews  Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley •  Conservative •  Darwin
Profile image for CouncillorKira Gabbert
CouncillorKira Gabbert  Chairman, Children, Education & Families PDS Committee •  Conservative •  Bickley & Sundridge

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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