National recognition for council's 'remarkable turnaround'
Eastbourne Borough Council's finance team has been Highly Commended at the prestigious MJ Awards, earning national recognition for steering the authority through one of the most challenging financial periods in its history.
The judging panel said: 'The Eastbourne Borough Council Finance Team has delivered a remarkable turnaround, exiting Exceptional Financial Support ahead of schedule through disciplined programme governance and bold service reform. Their Strategic Finance Programme combined asset optimisation, transformation and meaningful community engagement to restore resilience, rebalance the budget and rebuild long-term financial sustainability'.
The council's Strategic Finance Programme was launched in 2021 in response to the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic, the collapse of tourism income and record levels of homelessness. At its peak, temporary accommodation rose from around 120 placements to more than 490, with 49p in every pound of council tax collected by the council being spent on this support, while the shutdown of the council's tourism and culture services resulted in over £10m of lost income.
Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of the Council, said:
"To be highly commended at the MJ Awards is a testament to the commitment of staff across the organisation.
"Our strategic finance programme has transformed how we work, how we plan and how we engage with our community.
"Ending EFS a year early is a remarkable achievement and central to the financial turnaround we've delivered."
Outcomes from the Strategic Finance Programme include:
- £8.1m in savings, identified through a rigorous line‑by‑line review of every service budget
- Major service redesigns, such as transferring theatres to Trafalgar Entertainment
- A comprehensive asset review, generating income and reducing costs, including the establishment of the community toilet scheme
Councillor Daniel Butcher, Cabinet Member for Finances, Resources and Community Wealth Building, said:
"This national recognition is richly deserved. Our finance team has shown extraordinary professionalism and determination in the face of immense pressure.
"Their work has stabilised the council's finances and put the authority on a firm footing as we prepare our budget for next year."
The council will continue to build on the SFP's success, maintaining its focus on financial resilience, innovation and transparent engagement with residents.
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