Budget update

SHOP LOCAL Shop safe

Support our local businesses

This has been a difficult year for businesses across the country. Last month saw non-essential shops close their doors at what is usually their busiest time of year.

Please remember to help our local businesses to stay afloat by continuing to use them whenever you can. Many of these businesses set up online ‘click and collect’ services during the restrictions and some can make special deliveries to serve their customers.

As this magazine went to print we are hoping to see our local businesses opening again. When they do please shop local and support local services and employment. To find out more about the support available to local businesses visit www.bexleyforbusiness.co.uk

Meeting unprecendented financial challenges

In November, the Cabinet discussed the changes needed to respond to the increased financial challenge created by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has added to the The Cabinet considered the scale of the challenge we already response to the public consultation faced, by increasing spending this summer on six savings and creating unprecedented proposals. It approved them all, uncertainty. apart from changes to children’s

Throughout the year we have centres, on which there will be been exploring opportunities to further consultation (see below). reduce the size of our budget Vulnerable people and the gap. These include transforming services that are most important services, making more behind the to residents continue to be a scenes efficiencies, reducing costs, priority. and increasing income to make A further report on the it possible to invest in priority Council’s financial forecasts services. and plans will be discussed at

The Cabinet approved a the Cabinet’s meeting on 15 strategy to close the latest forecast December. budget gap of around £13m. This includes an in-depth review of services and establishment costs, with more proposals coming forward next month. Other plans include negotiating a line of credit with the government, to let us spread some “The pandemic has increased the scale of the challenge we face and makes forecasting difficult. We have a clear plan to deliver a balanced budget that invests in local services, but we may face further decisions in the new year.” of the financial impact and risk of Councillor Teresa O’Neill the pandemic over future years. OBE, Leader of the Council

Children’s Centre consultation Cabinet Members approved a the Council’s efforts to maximise proposal to develop a range of community engagement. children’s centre options for further “Whilst we in Bexley, as with all consultation at their meeting last local authorities, must make difficult month. decisions in the current financial A consultation into the future of climate, we will always want to listen the centres began in July as part of to our residents. We want to find a wider consultation on proposed a model for the service that will savings. The consultation ended last continue to provide services to our month. More than 3,700 people most vulnerable families.” commented on the proposals. A range of options will now be Cabinet Member for Children’s looked at before further consultation Services Cllr Philip Read said: “The with residents, partners, staff and all high level of responses received stakeholders in the spring. demonstrates the effectiveness of

Connections to Ebbsfleet

An important study into transport improvements to support growth and regeneration in the corridor between Abbey Wood and Ebbsfleet was launched in September.

Funded by the Ministry for “This is a really exciting moment for Housing and Local Government, all those who have been pushing the work will be overseen by the for improved public transport in C2E Partnership, of which Bexley this area and across the Thames is a key member. The Partnership has commissioned a programme of Estuary for so long. We know that to get good research into the area’s transport growth you need to better connect and development challenges, people to jobs and services both to identify possible transport locally and in the wider area. improvements, understand This study is a big step forward in how these can support further understanding how we do that in a housing and jobs growth and how improvements can be funded. The study will include public deliverable way that makes sense in a post Covid 19 world.” consultation in the new year. Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE,

The study is programmed to end Chairman of the Partnerships in autumn 2021. Local Authority Board

Sidcup plans move on

The new cinema and library in Sidcup have moved a step closer as cultural infrastructure developer Really Local Group and local construction company Neilcott finalised their plans to start works on site.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Cllr Louie French said: “Despite this time of uncertainty for high

An artists impression of the new cinema, library and residential development streets The new cinema, library and residential development in Sidcup High Street, has been designed by award winning architects DRDH. Really Local Group will fit out and run the independent cinema. Locally based contractors Neilcott will build the new development. Construction will start in earnest in January 2021. generally, we are delighted to have kept this important project on track. Bringing these two experienced organisations on board means this exciting new project is that bit closer to becoming a reality. The new facilities will be a great addition to the high street.” The fantastic new venue is scheduled to open in 2022.

Council funding success promises boost for Erith

There was good news for Erith in November, with the announcement that the Council has secured £900,000 for local regeneration projects through the Greater London Authority (GLA) from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

The grant will be used to fund schemes to improve Pier Road and the section of Erith High Street next to the Riverside Gardens.

They are part of the Council’s Erith Links programme to improve public spaces, highways and junctions in the town.

Government launched the Getting Building Fund in August and in London it has been distributed by the GLA. It aims to support the delivery of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, create more local jobs, and support the green recovery across the UK.

“The success of our bid is great news for the town and the local economy. These schemes will improve the town as a place to live and do business and deliver a boost just when it is needed.” Councillor Louie French, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth.

(L-R) Cabinet Member for Places, Cllr Peter Craske and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, Cllr Louie French at the site of the new cinema