The Executive of Bromley Council met on Wednesday 17 January 2024 to discuss the draft budget for 2024/25, the outcome of an Ofsted inspection of children's services, and software licence arrangements. Key decisions included the approval of the initial draft budget, which forecasts a significant budget gap in future years, and the noting of an Outstanding Ofsted rating for children's services. The meeting also approved the renewal of licences for two IT systems.

Draft Budget 2024/25 and Financial Strategy Update

The Executive approved the initial draft budget for 2024/25, while noting that significant financial challenges remain, with a projected budget gap of £38.7 million per annum by 2027/28. The council's financial strategy highlights the need to address this gap through a combination of measures, including a proposed 7.7% increase in rent levels for London Affordable Rents and Social (Formula) Rents from April 2024. A one-off Transformation Fund of £1 million was also approved to support the next phase of the Transformation Programme, aimed at delivering future savings. The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024/25 was noted, with concerns raised about its one-year duration and the lack of significant new funding to address cost pressures. The budget also includes a proposed staff pay award of 3% for 2024/25, with an increase in the merit payment scheme of 3%. The lowest-paid staff will see an increase of around 6% due to the deletion of the old BR3 salary scale. The Executive agreed to a contribution of £247,872 in 2024/25 to the London Boroughs Grant Committee. The setting of the schools' budget, primarily funded by the Dedicated Schools Grant, was delegated to the Education, Children and Families Portfolio Holder, with consultation with the Schools Forum. The Dedicated Schools Grant Deficit Recovery Plan will be reviewed and updated for future reporting.

Outcome of Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services

The Executive noted the findings of the Ofsted report, which awarded Outstanding judgments across all areas, including the impact of leaders on social work practice, the experiences and progress of children needing help and protection, children in care, and care leavers. The overall effectiveness of children's services in Bromley was also rated as Outstanding. The Executive recognised the significant team effort involved in achieving this grading and thanked all those who contributed. Bromley is one of only three councils in the country to receive an Outstanding rating.

Academy Information System and Aspien Corporate Debt Management System Software Licence and Maintenance Arrangements

The Executive approved the renewal of the agreement for the Academy Information system until 31st March 2027, at an estimated annual cost of £182,000, totalling £546,000 over three years. Additionally, the renewal of the agreement for the Aspien Corporate Debt Management System was approved until 31st January 2027, at an annual cost of £9,900, totalling £30,000 over three years. These renewals are considered necessary to maintain essential IT systems used for billing and debt collection, with the reviews of these systems having been delayed due to the pandemic. The report noted that the Academy Information System is a core system for Housing Benefits, Council Tax Support, and the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates, managing over £60 million annually. The Aspien system is used by the Council's contractors, Liberata, in conjunction with Oracle Fusion. The renewal of these licences is expected to have no adverse impact on vulnerable adults, children, and young people.

Questions

Two questions were received for the meeting: one for oral response and one for written response. The question for oral response concerned the installation of solar panels on schools, with the reply indicating that the Council is finalising feasibility work to procure and install photovoltaic solar panel arrays at three schools this year, at an estimated cost of £96,000. The question for written response asked for a list of Bromley maintained schools assessed for solar panels, their costs, and details of renewable energy installations. The reply detailed specific schools that have had improvements, including photovoltaic solar panel arrays and air source heat pumps, and outlined planned further installations.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 November 2023, with a minor amendment. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Yvonne Bear. There were no declarations of interest. The meeting concluded with the exclusion of the press and public for consideration of exempt minutes.