Bracknell Forest Council is due to raise concerns with ministers about how quickly changes to local government funding have been put in place.

The government changed the way it allocates money to local councils at the end of last year following the Fairer Funding Review. The council estimates this change will see a funding gap of £18m affecting Bracknell Forest between 2026 and 2029.

The speed of the changes introduced by the Fair Funding reforms has made it difficult for some councils to balance their budgets against a backdrop of rising prices and increasing demand for local services.  Bracknell Forest Council’s political leaders are working with Wokingham Borough Council and other similarly affected authorities to show government ministers how changes to grant funding will affect local people and communities.

Cllr Helen Purnell, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “We acknowledge that the government’s aim has been to create a fairer and more sustainable way to fund councils. However, as a local authority that is considered more affluent than others, we face losing a considerable sum of money very quickly.  This will make it harder for us to continue to provide good quality and much-needed services for our residents.

“Like all local authorities, we are seeing more people need our support and the cost of providing services is going up.  We are always looking for opportunities to meet needs in different ways, but transformation of core services takes time.

“I welcome a full discussion with government ministers so we can showcase what this change means for our local people and our borough in the short-term. A positive and constructive discussion about future funding and how we safeguard valuable services for our residents is in everyone’s interest.”

Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough council leaders will write to the minister responsible for local government funding to request that reductions in each council’s core grant between 2026/27 and 2028/29 be capped at a maximum of 10 per cent. They will also invite the minister to discuss their concerns about how essential services can be safeguarded against a backdrop of rising demand, rising costs and reduced government funding.