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Bromley Conservatives deliver a balanced Budget for 2025-26

Bromley Conservatives
  • Constituency News
Bromley Conservatives delivered a balanced Budget for the year ahead at the Council Tax setting meeting on Wednesday 26 February.

The annual debate on the Borough’s finances occurred at a time of great strain on resources for Councils across the country – and Bromley is no different. It faces huge cost pressures in areas such as temporary accommodation, adult social care and provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children. 

All this comes at a time when the new Labour Government have so far rejected calls from Bromley Council for a fairer funding settlement that would significantly alleviate financial pressure on the Council and local taxpayers. 

Despite these challenges, Conservative-led Bromley Council has focused on delivering outstanding public services to residents while keeping Council Tax as low as possible.  

Some of the highlights from the 2025-26 Budget include:  

  • Refurbishing leisure centres in West Wickham and The Walnuts in Orpington, providing those areas of the Borough with modern leisure and exercise facilities. 
  • Refurbishing libraries across the Borough, including in Beckenham, Chislehurst, Southborough and Burnt Ash.
  • Accelerating the Bromley Homes for Bromley People programme to deliver the local housing residents need, with developments in Beckenham, Crystal Palace and St. Paul’s Cray. 
  • Purchasing a new children’s home and securing two new SEND schools in the Borough. 

In addition to delivering a balanced Budget, Council Tax remains low when compared to many other London Boroughs. Despite receiving a poor funding settlement from the Central Government, Bromley sets a lower rate than Labour-controlled Lewisham and Merton, as well as Lib Dem-controlled Sutton and Kingston. 

At the meeting, Bromley Conservatives rejected amendments from Bromley Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors. Bromley Labour proposed that the Council borrow more money, while the Liberal Democrats wanted to hire more Council officers instead of investing more in frontline services.  

Cllr. Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council and Hayes resident, said: 

“Bromley continues to face difficult financial headwinds alongside other local authorities. We will continue to be prudent in our spending to make sure that our Borough does not suffer the same fate as Croydon and other Councils that have already gone bankrupt. That does mean difficult decisions will need to be made. 

“Despite this, Bromley Conservatives – whether it be through libraries, leisure centres or housing – continue to deliver for residents and provide outstanding public services that people rightfully expect. I’m also proud that we’ve been able to keep Council Tax lower than many other London Boroughs – something we’ve only been able to do because of sound financial management. 

“We will continue to be responsible with taxpayers’ money and steer Bromley Borough through the difficult challenges that lie ahead – all while delivering high-quality services to our residents. Above all, we will continue to push for fairer funding so we can maintain the quality of service.

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