Crawley Borough Council's cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, to discuss the borough's budget strategy, housing revenue account, and corporate plan, among other items. The meeting will also address a petition regarding the Tilgate Park War Memorial. Some of the business at this meeting may be conducted in private.

Here are the topics that are scheduled to be discussed:

Budget Strategy 2026/27 – 2027/28

The cabinet is expected to consider the Budget Strategy 2026/27 – 2027/28, a report prepared by the Head of Corporate Finance, Carolin Martlew. This strategy outlines the financial roadmap for the council over the next two years, acknowledging key factors such as alignment with corporate priorities, potential budget deficits, and uncertainties surrounding government funding due to the upcoming Spending Review 2.0.

The report highlights that the council is legally required to set a balanced budget each year, which can be achieved through the planned use of reserves. It notes that the council's finances came under pressure during 2023/24, requiring in-year savings and reserve adjustments. The budget for 2025/26 allowed a contribution to the General Fund due to additional grant funding and planned savings, but it was noted that grants like the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging were unlikely to be additional funding for future years.

The report also sets out the key assumptions underpinning the budget projections, including:

• The government's intention to reform local authority funding from 2026/27 onwards.
• The implementation of the business rate reset in 2026/27.
• A 2.99% annual increase in council tax on a Band D property.

The report models three different methodologies for estimating central government funding, with the cash flat scenario showing a budget gap of £2.439m for 2026/27. It also notes that a potential reduction in Home Office New Burdens Funding would worsen the position.

The report states that the council has a successful track record of reducing net expenditure by achieving significant savings or increasing income, but that there was no longer scope to cut services incrementally. It recommends a phased approach to closing any potential budget gap by identifying £1.5m of savings for the 2026/27 budget and balancing the budget through the planned use of reserves if required.

The report also outlines other areas under review, including:

• The Asset Review to identify assets that do not deliver income or where increased income is achievable.
• The review of reserves to determine appropriate levels and to free up resources to support higher level priority projects and to support the General Fund if required.
• The capital programme to ensure that it remains affordable and aligned to the council's priorities as set out in the Corporate Plan 2025-2028.

The report includes a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy 2025/26, which documents the application of capital receipts to support the realisation of the service reductions approved for 2025/26 by way of cost displacement to enable the gross saving to be realised in the revenue budget.

2026 - 2027 Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

The cabinet will also discuss the 2026 - 2027 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan. This report, jointly authored by the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Crawley Homes, sets out the long-term financial strategy for the council's housing stock over the next 30 years.

The HRA records expenditure and income on the council's housing stock and related services. The main items of expenditure included in the account are management and maintenance costs, major repairs, loan charges, bad debt provisions, void loss and depreciation costs. The main sources of income are from tenants in the form of rents, service charges and leaseholder contributions.

The Business Plan aims to ensure resources are in place to:

• Manage, maintain, and improve existing housing stock.
• Deliver new affordable housing aligned with local needs.
• Ensure long-term financial viability and resilience.
• Support decarbonisation and sustainability goals.
• Engage tenants and stakeholders in decision-making.

The report notes that the council will need to borrow at increasing levels to deliver the capital projects identified for the HRA, and that the Business Plan takes account of this borrowing need in the assessment of affordability and financial sustainability.

The report assumes that from 2026–2036, social housing rent increases will be capped at CPI+1% each year. It also notes that the government consulted on a new Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to social housing rent policy from 1 April 2026 that includes Social Rent convergence¹.

The report assumes a prudent 130 Right to Buy sales in 2025/26 and 5 sales per annum from 2026/27.

The report also includes a baseline capital programme, which includes investment in the existing stock and compliance works and the ambitious development programme.

The report notes that the baseline position for the HRA is currently affordable, but that long term performance is impacted by the reliance on borrowing.

Corporate Plan 2025-2028

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the Corporate Plan 2025-2028. This document, presented by Chris Page, Deputy Chief Executive, outlines the council's strategic direction for the next three years, aligning with the administration's manifesto, budget strategy, and transformation plan.

The plan sets out five strategic objectives:

• Create a thriving local economy with new, green jobs.
• Tackle the housing emergency.
• Ensure Crawley is a vibrant town with high quality facilities.
• Build connected and thriving communities.
• Prepare Crawley for the future.

To deliver these strategic priorities, the plan focuses on five priority programmes:

• Local Economy - Develop and implement a new economic and place making vision that maximises the opportunities to develop Crawley's vibrant economy.
• Three Bridges - Deliver improvements to Three Bridges Station in partnership with Network Rail and WSCC².
• New Homes - Get major new housing projects underway for Crawley residents and develop a pipeline for new homes in the future to help tackle the housing emergency.
• Goffs Park - Create a lasting legacy for the borough and its residents by transforming Goffs Park in the heart of the town.
• Town Council - Create a Town Council which will protect and champion the new town offer for the residents of Crawley.

The plan acknowledges the challenges posed by local government reorganisation and the need to ensure a smooth transition to a new unitary authority.

Petition Tilgate Park War Memorial

The cabinet will consider a joint report from the Head of Community Services and the Petitions Officer regarding a petition about the Tilgate Park War Memorial. The petition, which has 311 valid signatures, requests the council to reinstate the war memorial, provide an explanation for its removal, and donate £10,000 to a local armed forces charity.

The report provides background information on the mural, which was painted on a section of the walled garden perimeter wall adjacent to the café in 2018 without the council's permission. The mural was removed in February 2025, and the council issued a statement saying that it had fallen into disrepair and was beyond proper restoration.

The report presents several options for the cabinet to consider, including:

• Reinstating the mural (which the council is not considering).
• Providing a full response to the petitioner.
• Donating £10,000 to a veterans' charity (which has financial implications).
• Working with veterans' groups to find an appropriate alternative location to pay tribute to service personnel.

The report also outlines the council's existing support for the Armed Forces, including signing a military covenant in 2013, delivering an annual Armed Forces Day event, and providing housing support for veterans.

Building Control Review

The cabinet will also discuss a report regarding the Building Control Review. This item is listed under Part B Business, meaning it may be held in closed session due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to financial and business affairs.