Title

FINANCE

Medway effective bankruptcy 'very likely'

It is ‘very likely’ that Medway Council will be forced to issue a section 114, a report has warned.

It is ‘very likely' that Medway Council will be forced to issue a section 114, a report has warned.

The council's medium-term financial outlook report estimated the Labour-run administration will face a £39m budget gap in 2024-25 on top of £17m it needs to find for this financial year.

Medway also faces budget gaps of £49m in 2025-26, £65m in 2026-27 and £72m in 2027-28 if current trends continue.

The financial report concluded that the chances of the council having to issue a s114 notice were ‘very likely'.

Medway leader Vince Maple emphasised that the report was ‘just a forecast' and that the council had a 'number of options that we can take in the coming months and years to help address the forecast gap'.

FINANCE

The centre must tackle the challenges still faced by counties and unitaries

By Cllr Matthew Hicks | 12 February 2026

The Government’s decision to pay the bulk of SEND deficits is a relief, but sensible decisions on reorganisation are crucial to delivering substantial saving...

FINANCE

Bedford to get Best Value Inspection and Spelthorne with work to do

By Paul Marinko | 11 February 2026

Bedford BC is to undergo a best value inspection, while government commissioners at struggling Spelthorne BC have said its ‘improvement remains largely ahead...

FINANCE

Local government now has clarity and a credible way forward on SEND

By Rob Powell | 10 February 2026

Rob Powell says he is ‘relieved and pleased that we now have a meaningful solution’ to English councils’ deficits relating to special educational needs and d...

FINANCE

City council requests £15m exceptional financial support

By Dan Peters | 06 February 2026

Brighton & Hove City Council has requested £15m of exceptional financial support (EFS) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Popular articles by William Eichler