At a meeting of the Bromley Council Executive, councillors agreed to maintain the existing Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27, noted a projected net overspend on services of £16.672m, and approved a five-year extension to the Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) Library Service Contract. They also authorised the appropriation of land at Castlecombe Youth Centre Car Park for housing and agreed on a procurement strategy for education capital works.

Budget Monitoring 2025/26

The Executive reviewed the budget monitoring report for 2025/26, which provided an overview of the council's financial position based on expenditure and activity up to September 2025. The report, which was updated prior to the meeting and had been considered by the Executive Resources and Contracts (ERC) PDS Committee, highlighted significant variations that could impact future years and potential early warnings affecting the year-end position.

The Executive agreed to note the latest financial position, which included a projected net overspend on services of £16.672m and full year cost pressures of £19.128m. They also noted a projected reduction to the General Fund balance of £14.373k.

The council agreed to release £587k from the central contingency to cover additional legal expenditure, as well as other funding from the 2025/26 central contingency. Councillor Kate Lymer, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families, chairing the meeting, said that any issues identified should be referred to individual Portfolio Holders for further action.

The Director of Finance had circulated a briefing to all members following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget. Concerns were raised at the ERC PDS meeting regarding mitigations within the Environment Portfolio budget, and it was agreed that these would be discussed in more detail at the Environment and Community Services PDS in January 2026. The Director of Finance agreed to provide a more detailed response to members before that meeting.

Council Tax Support Scheme

The Executive voted to maintain the existing Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27, and to recommend it to the council. The Council Tax Support Scheme helps Bromley residents on low incomes to pay their council tax bill. The scheme is reviewed annually.

Future of the Library Service

The Executive agreed to allow officers to seek mutual agreement with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the current provider, to extend the existing libraries service contract for five years until 31 October 2032. The guideline five-year contract price is estimated at £27.26m, but is subject to change based on contract extension negotiations, market forces, and inflation. The original contract commenced on 1 November 2017, with the option of a five-year extension by mutual consent until 2032. The value of the contract over the initial ten-year period was £43,327,274.

The Executive delegated authority to Councillor Yvonne Bear, Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation & Housing, to agree the final contract terms following officer negotiation.

Capital Programme Monitoring

The Executive reviewed the capital expenditure and receipts following the conclusion of the second quarter of the 2025/26 monitoring exercise. The report included details of proposed new schemes and additions to existing schemes, as well as the removal of schemes that were complete or no longer being progressed.

The Executive agreed to note the contents of the report, including a total rephasing of £14.9m from 2025/26 and 2027/28 into future years. They also agreed to an increase of £70k to an existing scheme and an addition of £105k to a new scheme.

Housing Delivery Update

The Executive authorised the appropriation for planning purposes of land surplus to operational need at Castlecombe Youth Centre Car Park for housing, as part of the council's Housing Delivery Programme, Bromley Homes for Bromley People. This was authorised under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016¹. They also delegated authority to the Director of Corporate Services and Governance to sign and execute all legal documentation related to the appropriation for planning purposes.

Procurement Strategy for Education Capital Works

The Executive agreed to a procurement strategy for the delivery of construction contracts as part of the council’s Education Programme for the period 2025-31, reflecting the impact of the Procurement Act 2023².

This includes the continued use of the Open Procedure and introduction of Competitive Flexible Procedure for the procurement of education capital projects. The council may also use frameworks, in agreement with Corporate Procurement, where economically advantageous. The Regulated Below Threshold Closed Tender procedure was agreed as an alternative to the Open procedure for Regulated Below Threshold Works contracts.

The council may also pass funds to schools to deliver capital projects when it represents the most efficient means of delivery. Capital schemes agreed for delivery with the council’s Basic Need Capital Programme and Education Planned Maintenance Programme can proceed to procurement. The annual Basic Need Programme Report and Schools Capital Maintenance Report will continue to act as Proceeding to Procurement Reports for individual schemes. Works will primarily be undertaken through JCT and NEC contracts with London Borough of Bromley amendments.

Questions from the Public

The Executive responded to two written questions that had been received from members of the public.