At a Full Council meeting, councillors gave the green light to a spending plan designed to protect frontline services, support vulnerable residents, and invest in the borough’s future.
Brent Council has officially approved its budget for 2025-26, reaffirming its commitment to delivering vital services while maintaining financial stability. At a Full Council meeting, councillors gave the green light to a spending plan designed to protect frontline services, support vulnerable residents, and invest in the borough’s future.
Shaped in collaboration with residents and Brent’s Scrutiny Task Group, the budget sets out key priorities for the year ahead. The average council tax for 2025-26 will be £41.02 per week for a band D property, ensuring continued funding for essential services.
One of the standout commitments in the budget is investment in young people. The council will sustain funding for Brent’s top-performing schools, Family Wellbeing Centres, and the Holiday Activity and Food programmes, ensuring children and families receive the support they need.
Environmental improvements remain a focus, with additional funding allocated to the ‘Don’t Mess with Brent’ initiative. This means more Community Skips, increased Enforcement Officers, and higher fines for those caught illegally dumping waste. The goal is to create a cleaner and greener borough for all residents.
“I am pleased that once again we have approved a balanced budget which sets the foundations for the future.”
Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council
The budget also includes £800,000 for community projects, such as upgrading Kilburn Library and enhancing parks and sports facilities, including a £400,000 investment in Gladstone Park’s sports pitch.
Recognising the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, Brent Council has allocated £1.5 million to a new hardship fund. This fund is designed to provide direct support to those struggling to make ends meet, ensuring help reaches the most vulnerable members of the community.
Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, highlighted the financial challenges facing the borough.
“The financial challenge for Brent could not be more stark, with nearly one in five councils across the capital relying on emergency government borrowing. Despite these obstacles, Brent has maintained a strong reputation for responsible financial management, and I am pleased that we have once again approved a balanced budget that lays the foundations for the future,” he said.
He added: “Over the past 14 years, we have made £218 million in cuts, and this year, we have identified a further £16 million to help balance the books. This has been compounded by the growing housing emergency in our city, as well as rising social care costs driven by our ageing population.
“To govern is to choose, and that means making tough decisions in the best interests of our borough. This budget is not a responsibility we take lightly, but we will always fight to safeguard frontline services and make every pound count.”
With these financial measures in place, Brent Council is focused on delivering a fairer borough where every resident has access to quality services, a cleaner environment, and the support they need to thrive.
