The Public Cabinet of Bexley Council met to discuss and approve a new library strategy, review the budget, and discuss plans for transforming council services. The cabinet adopted the Library Strategy 2025-2030 and noted the budget monitoring reports, the update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and the annual performance report. They also endorsed the approach to a targeted transformation portfolio.

Library Strategy 2025-2030

The cabinet adopted the Library Strategy 2025-2030, a five-year plan for the borough's libraries¹. The strategy focuses on community, innovation, and building on past successes. It aims to bring council and partner services closer to residents through the library network and sets an ambitious direction for the future of the library service, shaped by public feedback.

The strategy outlines four key priorities:

• Reading and literacy
• Culture and creativity
• Health and wellbeing
• Economic and digital improvement

The strategy aims to support the delivery of the Bexley Plan and empower residents to live vibrant, healthy, and resilient lives.

Councillor Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, praised the strategy as a first-class document that will allow libraries to reach their full potential. He emphasised that Bexley is committed to keeping libraries open, unlike many other boroughs across the country.

Councillor Diment, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, highlighted the evolving role of libraries in the digital age and expressed excitement about the repurposing of Bexley's libraries. He noted the rise in library visits and the wide range of activities offered, such as activity groups, language learning, and physical activity groups.

Councillor Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, acknowledged the evolution of library services and emphasised the importance of literacy, particularly for people with learning disabilities. He expressed gratitude for the inclusion of bag books² in the strategy.

Councillor Newton, Cabinet Member for Education, thanked the library team for their work with schools to ensure a consistent reading list. She also appreciated the bag book case study, highlighting its inclusivity for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Councillor Lee, Deputy Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Resources, noted the timeliness of the report, coinciding with the 175th anniversary of the first Public Libraries Act and the government's publication of a research paper on engaging library non-users. He highlighted that Bexley is ahead of the curve in many areas, such as improving access and utilising library spaces for diverse community needs.

Councillor Minhoff highlighted the importance of community libraries, particularly the Blackfen Community Library, run by the New Generation Community Trust.

In response to questions, officers confirmed their ambition to increase opening hours across libraries and explore partnerships to achieve this. They also assured members that they would consider the data from the consultation to ensure the strategy meets the needs of all residents.

Councillor Brouwer raised concerns about the asset condition of community libraries and the need for investment. He also questioned the opening hours of libraries like Bexley Heath and Welling.

Ms. Fireland assured members that the council is developing an asset management strategy and that libraries are high on the list for consideration.

Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25

The cabinet reviewed the Budget Monitoring Report for 2024/25, which showed an overspend of £1.5 million, primarily in on-demand services like adults' and children's social care. The council plans to use this information to inform future budgets and ensure value for money.

Mrs Morris, Deputy Director, noted that council tax collection was slightly below target, while business rates collection was down on the previous year. Cash balances dropped to £21.6 million, which is not unusual for this time of year.

Councillor Lee assured members that the data from the outturn position would be analysed and used to inform medium-term planning.

Councillor Hall asked how Bexley's year-end position compared to other local authorities. Councillor Lee responded that while he had not reviewed all 300-plus local authorities, Bexley's overspending position was lower than many others, particularly in London, due to the council's focus on innovation, efficiencies, and savings.

Budget Monitoring Report 2025/26

The cabinet then considered the Budget Monitoring Report for 2025/26, which showed a forecast overspend of £2.1 million after the first two months. The most significant overspends were in adults' and children's services.

Mrs Morris noted that the forecast included slippage of £26 million to Bexley Co and that a newly formed Operational Capital and Assets Board would work to improve this.

Councillor Lee acknowledged the uncertainty in the forecast and highlighted the ongoing pressures and challenges the council faces. He noted that Bexley's position was not uncommon in local government, with other authorities also reporting forecast overspends. He touched upon risks and uncertainties related to NHS performance, new burdens from the government, and pay pressures.

Councillor Sim drew attention to the adult social care and health element, noting increased demand and the impact of the national insurance increase on commissioning negotiations.

Councillor Diamond made a plea for residents to make more effective use of recycling facilities to save money on incineration costs.

Councillor Reid asked for a review of the situation regarding the cost of placements and staffing within the children's services department. Councillor Taylor responded that the key overspend was on placements and that the cost of placements was a real frustration. He also noted that the department was stepping up for Bexley residents by delivering an underspend in staffing.

Councillor Brown reminded members of the Labour government's investments in the NHS and family hubs. Councillor O'Neill responded that Bexley was already ahead of the game in prevention and that family hubs were being rolled out in an innovative way.

Update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy

The cabinet discussed the longer-term financial planning, taking them out to 2029/30. Councillor O'Neill reminded members that Bexley got into longer-term planning well before others and that it had stood them in good stead. She noted a number of unknowns, such as potential funding reviews, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, employment rights, and renters' rights bills.

Mr. Brown, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, presented the report, noting the demographic and inflation pressures and the need for caution in making planning assumptions. He highlighted the uncertainty around funding and service pressures and the importance of a multifaceted approach to address the budget gap, including transformation, service reviews, and technical accounting reviews.

Councillor Lee acknowledged the uncertainty over funding and the impact of new duties and burdens. He emphasised the administration's robust approach to financial planning and its focus on service delivery and efficiency.

Councillor Miller highlighted the importance of employment to the success and wellbeing of residents and praised the work of Bexley Business and Employment. She also noted the success of the property team in generating capital receipts.

Councillor Hall asked about the principal uncertainties and risks affecting the forecasting of possible gaps. Councillor Lee responded that the considerable risks were the wider economic situation, new regulations and legislation, the national insurance increase, the fair funding review, and uncertainty about SEND.

Councillor Brewer argued that the government was listening to concerns and making changes. He welcomed the multi-year funding settlements and the government's actions on crisis prevention and homeless reduction.

Councillor Newton defended the safety valve, noting that it had brought in nearly £30 million to the authority. She emphasised the importance of sustainable solutions for SEND and criticised the government for U-turns made at too short a notice.

Councillor Sandu asked if Councillor Munur had any particular aspect of Bexley employment that he thought the OSC needed to do a reality check on. Councillor Munur urged him to ensure that Andrea from Change Matters was present during the visit to see the in-depth support provided to help people get mentally ready for work.

Councillor Lee responded to points raised by Councillor Breda, noting that the Children and Families Act 2014 had widespread cross-party support and that the last government had doubled the amount of money that went into the high needs block. He also noted that the biggest impact of the change in NICs was the reduction in the threshold by which it's paid on salaries.

Councillor Minow cautioned against continually putting pressure on private businesses within the borough.

Making Bexley Even Better: Transforming Council Services for our Residents

The cabinet discussed a report on transforming council services. Councillor O'Neill noted that this was not new in Bexley and that the council had a proven track record of transforming services.

Mr Grimley, Deputy Director, explained that the transformation programme is suggesting targeted investments in five key areas: customer experience, children's services, commercialisation, corporate core, and culture. He emphasised the importance of good governance to control the scope, investments, and monitor the return.

Councillor Lee noted that transformation was nothing new for Bexley and that the council had a robust approach to financial control. He welcomed the involvement of overview and scrutiny committees and emphasised the importance of managing risks.

Councillor Taylor mentioned the transformation project that delivered the Civic Centre and the family hubs. He emphasised the importance of commissioning in the children's transformation cases.

Councillor Seymour expressed support for the transformation, while also emphasising the importance of not forgetting those who find it difficult to access services.

Councillor Diamond highlighted the importance of customer care and the success of FixMyStreet. He expressed confidence that the new system would still have a safety net for those unable to use digital services.

Councillor Brown argued that strategy 2014 was not transformation but cuts to council services. He emphasised the importance of bringing staff with them and ensuring the deliverability of the schemes.

Councillor O'Neill responded that staff were being involved in the transformation and that governance was key to deliverability.

Councillor Curtis asked how the key projects, like improving customer experience, play a role in the overall transformation strategy. Councillor Lee responded that the aim was to enable more opportunities for digital transactions while ensuring better resource and capacity to adapt to those most in need and vulnerable.

Annual Performance Report (April 2024 to March 2025)

The cabinet reviewed the Annual Performance Report for April 2024 to March 2025. Councillor O'Neill noted that there was no decision to be made but that it was vitally important that they were comfortable with it.

Councillor Simon highlighted the diverse breadth of work that Ms Senna and her team do in adult social care and health. He praised the team's work in expanding services, particularly for autism, and their commitment to working with the individual.

Councillor Diamond welcomed the report and drew attention to the Schools Waste Action Clubs and the work at Lesness Abbey. He also noted that Bexley's roads were in considerably better state than those of most of its neighbours.

Councillor Minot reeled through some of the numbers in the report, highlighting employment rates, planning application decisions, and town centre unit vacancy rates.

Councillor Bishop mentioned the fantastic work of the housing team in reducing emergency accommodation and the low crime rates in the borough. He also noted the new CCTV system coming into the borough.