The RBWM Cabinet this week received an urgent update on the council’s financial position and committed to take further immediate and significant action to address the budget gap.

The budget is currently showing an overspend of £7.3m for this year, and £6.2m for 2024-25. This is due to a combination of historical decisions which have affected the council’s financial resilience, and wider financial challenges affecting councils across the country. 

Achieving financial stability is the council’s priority. Intensive work continues to reduce spending and increase income. However, the scale of the challenge and the limited financial reserves held means that the Royal Borough is at risk of having to issue a Section 114 notice unless further action is taken now to reduce non-essential spending. 

If a council can’t finance its budget, a Section 114 (S114) must be issued. S114 bans all new spending except on protecting vulnerable people, statutory services, and pre-existing commitments.

What action is being taken?

Find out more about the financial challenges and how the council is responding.

Windsor and Maidenhead council face bankruptcy over £200m debt