The following challenges were being managed during quarter 4, 2024 to 2025.
Budget challenges
Budget challenges have continued up until the year end, although a concerted effort across the council has led to a significantly improved position. The focus on managing costs into 2025 to 2026, alongside delivery of the Safety Value savings plan remains a priority.
Recruitment
Availability of suitably skilled candidates continue to result in recruitment difficulties, particularly in social care, procurement, and building control. Statutory services are being delivered as required.
Procurement Act
The implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 met the deadline of 24 February 2025 and Bracknell Forest Council’s confirmation of compliance was approved and published. However, procurement capacity remains a challenge.
Social care pressures
The complexity of cases across children’s and adult social care is extending operational and budget pressures.
Forest View Academy School
The Department for Education has notified the council that the Forest View Academy School on Bucklers Park site is on hold and the timetable is unknown. This is related to the national review of the Safety Valve Programme. The independent non maintained special schools sector continues to be used to meet the needs of children and young people with an autism diagnosis due to insufficient local provision.
Demand for Education, Health, and Care Plans
Demand for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) continues to be high, resulting in a continued reliance on the independent sector to meet the needs of children and young people whilst local capacity is being built. Therefore, spending is expected to be around £3 million higher during the year than was originally budgeted.
New and affordable housing
Completion of new and affordable homes during the year has been below the forecasted level in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan, due to some sites not coming forward as expected. Nearly 1,500 units are currently under construction, nearly double the amount under construction in the previous year.
Building Control
Building Control continues to be a risk with recruitment of suitably qualified Building Control Inspectors remaining difficult, alongside the many legislative changes that the new Building Safety Regulator is bringing into force.
An external independent audit of the service was completed during quarter 4, alongside audits of 50 other smaller authority areas and feedback will be used to prioritise areas for implementation.