Bracknell council warns it may sell properties to raise money

A council has warned it may have to sell properties and increase council tax as there is “not much left” to cut from services.

Leader of Labour-run Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said she would “fight hard” to avoid scaling back more services after two decades of cuts.

She said that the council would have to look for other ways to raise money.

Bracknell Forest Council has joined a line of councils facing financial difficulties, including Birmingham City Council, Woking Council and Thurrock and Croydon.

It has begun the process of setting next year’s budget, which will cover April 2024 to April 2025.

Executive director for resources Stuart McKellar said the council faced a spending shortfall of £9.6m over the next three years, but only assuming that council tax would increase by the maximum amount allowed – 4.99% – every year.

Councillor Mary Temperton said that raising council tax was “the big one” when it comes to alternative ways to raise money.

“But you can only do that to a certain amount, otherwise you have to have a referendum,” she said.

“Charges will have to go up according to inflation, or just under inflation, but that hasn’t been decided yet.”

She added that the council could look into selling some of its properties.

“Certainly not South Hill Park – there are other assets dotted all over the place. But that decision hasn’t taken place either,” Ms Temperton said.

“Since Bracknell Forest Council became a council – and it’s 25 years old this year – it’s cut £100 million.

“There’s not much left any more – there’s no low-lying fruit you can just pick off and think, that’s a luxury, we’ll get away with that.”

She made a plea for the government to give local councils more money to help them determine “the quality of life” for residents.

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