The Finance & Resources Committee of Brentwood Council met on 24 September 2025 to discuss several key issues, including the adoption of a new digital strategy and cyber strategy, the approval of an artificial intelligence policy, and a review of the council's financial performance. The committee was also scheduled to discuss employer supported schemes, updates on the OneTeam programme¹, and the Revenues & Benefits Penalties Policy.

Digital and Cyber Security Strategies

The committee was scheduled to consider a new Digital Strategy 2025-2028, designed to support the council's transformation plans, improve digital services, and prepare for any changes resulting from local government reorganisation. The Digital Strategy included an action plan that takes into account the potential impact of local government reorganisation by building on existing technologies. According to the report pack, the strategy has six key outcomes:

• Better experiences for customers
• A digitally confident workforce
• Financial sustainability
• Strong and secure technology foundations
• A data-informed organisation
• Local government reorganisation ready

The report pack also notes that the committee was scheduled to discuss a new Cyber Security Strategy, which sets out three themes to coordinate work in keeping the council safe and secure from cyber threats, whilst ensuring readiness in the event of a cyber incident. The three workstreams of the cyber security strategy are: prevention, education, and response.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

The report pack indicates that the committee was to discuss and potentially approve a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. The policy aims to provide a framework for the ethical, legal, and practical use of AI technologies within the council. According to the report pack, the policy emphasises compliance with relevant laws, data privacy, transparency, fairness, accountability, and continuous improvement in AI applications across council operations. The only approved AI tool as of September 2025, according to the report pack, is the corporately available Microsoft 365 Copilot.

2025/26 Quarter 1 Budget Update

The committee was scheduled to review the financial performance of the council for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. According to the report pack, the update included a financial overview of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account, and Capital Budgets. The report pack stated that for the General Fund, the forecast was for:

• An underspend of £1.356m in net services
• An overachievement of income in the net non-services of £3.881m
• A shortfall in total funding of £581k

The report pack also stated that it was recommended that £3.5m be transferred to the In-Borough Regeneration Reserve and £250k to a Brentwood Centre Redevelopment Reserve.

Employer Supported Schemes

The committee was scheduled to discuss the introduction of two employer supported schemes: the Fostering Friendly Accreditation and the Employer Supported Policing Scheme.

The Fostering Friendly Accreditation encourages organisations to provide practical support to their foster carer employees through offering paid leave and flexible working, and to encourage others to become foster carers. The report pack stated that in order to become a fostering friendly accredited organisation, the council would need to put in place a fostering friendly HR policy offering foster carers flexible working and paid time off for training and settling a new child into their home.

The Employer Supported Policing Scheme is a national UK scheme where organisations support their employees to volunteer as Special Constables, providing them with paid time off for training and duties. The report pack stated that the scheme supports the police with increased officer capacity and community engagement, whilst offering those that take part with valuable training, skills and personal development opportunities.

OneTeam Year 4 Q1 and Q2 Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the OneTeam programme, a collaboration between Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. The report pack stated that following an external review, efforts have focused on establishing a new change agenda, including establishing underlying foundations to support both authorities as they move towards local government reorganisation.

The report pack noted that the East of England Local Government Association report highlighted the following areas to concentrate OneTeam on:

• Technology Digital/IT, data and cyber security
• Place Use of shared accommodation
• People Resiliency, culture, learning and development
• Process Mapping of key processes for the future provision, governance and procurement

Revenues & Benefits Penalties Policy

The committee was scheduled to consider the Revenues & Benefits Penalties Policy. The report pack stated that the purpose of this policy is to ensure consistency of approach by officers in applying penalties in prescribed circumstances for council tax and benefits customers, so that these customers are treated equally and fairly.

The report pack outlined that the policy includes process maps to highlight the steps that officers take in issuing a penalty notice. The report pack stated that the main elements of the policy are:

• Council Tax – Impose a £70 Penalty and in some cases a £280 penalty.
• Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) / Council Tax Reduction (CTR) – Impose a £70 penalty.
• Housing Benefit – Impose a £50 Penalty in three cases. A penalty will not apply unless an overpayment is over £100.

Formal Complaints Annual Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to review the Formal Complaints Annual Report 2024/25. The report pack stated that the report outlines complaint volumes, key themes, performance against response targets, and service improvements. The report pack noted that the council operates a two-stage complaint process:

• Stage 1: Initial response, aiming for resolution within 10 working days.
• Stage 2: Final review if the resident remains dissatisfied, with a target of 15 working days.

Budget Setting Guidelines

The committee was scheduled to discuss and approve the proposed arrangements for the budget setting process for 2026/27. The report pack stated that the budget will be developed over several months, considering external factors, corporate priorities and the resident survey. The report pack outlined that the key areas of the strategy are:

• Maintain a sustainable financial position against a background of unprecedented financial uncertainty.
• Support the vision of the borough through appropriate identification of resources required to deliver the key priorities outlined in the Corporate Strategy.
• Maximise opportunities and mitigate risks associated with the fundamental change to the way in which local government is financed.

SAIL 2025/26 Quarter 1 Update

The committee was scheduled to discuss the SAIL 2025/26 Quarter 1 Update. The agenda noted that this item would be held in private due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.