Slough Borough Council has launched a new review into some of its most high-cost services after identifying a larger than expected gap in its finances.
In July, as part of the continual budget monitoring, the council identified a significant budget gap of around £11million and also approved savings to cover.
Unfortunately, the most recent monitoring and on-going preparations for the budget for the coming financial year concluded the increasing pressures across services means the gap for 2025/2026 continues to grow.
The focus of the review includes adult social care and temporary accommodation for homeless families as well as other high-cost services; areas which are challenges for councils across the country but are particularly acute in Slough where our focus on recovery continues.
The council is warning tough decisions will have to be made but is keeping residents and fairness in mind at all times.
The reviews involve officers from the across the council as well as lead councillors from the council’s cabinet.
Councillor Dexter Smith, leader of the council, said: “The serious condition of the council finances has long been a matter of record, as is our pledge to work tirelessly on the improvements needed to rebuild our council for the good of the borough.
“The steps now being taken are vital and essential to Slough becoming financially sustainable. The outcomes will not only flow into the budget we are preparing for the next financial year but also form a core part of the improvement work happening across the council and how we wish to work in the future, which must mean working even more closely with partners and residents.
“Like councils across the country, we are facing tough choices and hard decisions that must also be fair for the communities we serve.”
Alongside the reviews, enhanced spending controls were immediately introduced across the council.
These include a review of temporary staffing, increased monitoring of all spending, a freeze on non-essential spending and a review of vacant posts.
Staff were updated about the plans by email and through a briefing with the corporate leadership team.