Council approves balanced four-year budget with over £80 million of investment across Castle Point

The budget features nearly £45 million in targeted capital spending and £35.4 million ring fenced for housing services, representing the most significant investment programmes in the Council’s history. 

Major investment highlights include:

•    £2.5 million for community improvements, with projects to be specified by Cabinet in due course. 
•    Over £20 million to bring forward new sites to deliver new housing schemes which will increase the provision of temporary accommodation for people and families facing homelessness.
•     30 minutes’ free parking in Council operated town centre car parks at Oak Road, Rectory Road and Richmond Hall. No new charges to Council-owned car parks which are currently free to use and a commitment that parking at The Paddocks will remain free.
•    Investment in Solby House to preserve and enhance the heritage building (subject to Secretary of State approval). 
•    Improvements to parks, pathways and community spaces, maintaining strong Green Belt protections. 
•    Leisure centre upgrades, including a new solar panelled roof at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre and upgrades at The Paddocks. 
•    More than £4.5 million for new refuse vehicles which will run on HVO, a cleaner alternative to diesel and modern workshop to support them. 

Presenting the budget report at Special Council on 11 February, Cllr Stephen Mountford, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said: “The Medium Term Financial Strategy sets out not just a budget but a clear statement of what this Council stands for — investment in our communities, protection of frontline services, financial responsibility delivered locally, not dictated from afar.

“I’m proud to say that this Council is presenting a fully balanced budget for all four years of the MTFS period. This represents a significant achievement and places Castle Point among a very small number of councils that are able to present a balanced four-year financial plan.”

Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, added: “I'm incredibly proud to lead this independent Council and to present a budget unlike any we’ve put forward before. This is a people’s budget — a clear demonstration of what independents can deliver for their Borough and one that will deliver real benefits for our residents.”

HRA Business Plan: A once-in-a-generation investment

In addition to approving the main MTFS, the Cabinet also endorsed the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, a 30-year plan setting out long term investment in Council Housing Services.

Highlights include:
•    £6 million for disabled adaptations over the 30-year period 
•    £125.7 million over the 30-year business plan period to maintain all Council homes at the Decent Homes Standard. All homes needing remedial work are expected to be compliant by 2026/27 and over £5 million is allocated to energy efficiency improvements to ensure every home reaches an EPC rating of C or above by 2030.
•    Almost £6.9 million for fire safety works over the next thirty years.
•    Over £1 million over the next two years to replace pathways on housing land.
•    £1.2 million in 2026/27 to improve communal areas across Council housing.
•    A further £1.3 million in 2026/27 to deliver improvements within sheltered housing schemes.

Speaking in favour of the Plan, Cllr Rob Lillis, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Housing, said: “This Business Plan corrects the wrongs of the past and the previous mismanagement of the HRA and the wider housing service.

“This Business Plan is forward looking and future proofs to ensure that the Council is well placed to address additional obligations placed on social housing such as environmental compliance and energy efficiency.

“It is a once-in-a-generation investment which will help to ensure that we have safe, secure and well maintained social housing for Castle Point residents.

“The Leader of the Council and I both gave a personal commitment to the Regulator for Social Housing and to our tenants that we would correct the wrongs of the past and would put things right.  Whilst we recognise that we still have much to do, the HRA revenue and capital budgets set out in the report will be a huge step in helping us to meet our pledges.  I look forward to meeting more of our tenants over the next few weeks and months as we continue on our Housing Improvement Programme journey together.”