Council consults on draft budget proposals

The Council has launched a budget consultation to ask residents, businesses and communities to share their views on how the Council plans to manage its finances next year. An online survey is open for responses until 10 January 2025.

Council's commitment to invest

The Council is committed to becoming a greener, safer and fairer borough by investing in retrofitting schools to become more environmentally friendly, investing in parks and delivering on a new social homes programme.

Responding is easy

This year, the Council has simplified the budget consultation to encourage more people to take part. People can comment on changes to fees and charges at the same time as our budget proposals in one simple online form, making it easier for residents to have their say.

What are the financial challenges?

The Council will need to make up to £40 million in savings over the next four years with the budget gap coming from the need for temporary accommodation. If the draft proposals are supported by residents, the Council will be able to set a balanced budget next year.

Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for finance, said:

"These are extremely challenging times for local government finance. We are not in the dire straits that some of our peers are in, but we are preparing to make some difficult decisions because we are still looking at a significant budget gap of up to £40 million over the next four years.

"Despite these pressures, we are determined to make positive changes to the borough. That is why we are building new social homes, delivering energy efficiency improvements to schools and community centres, and continuing to keep taxes low and minimise costs for residents.

"We need the help of people who live and work in the borough to set a budget that reflects the needs of our communities. We need to spend wisely, make savings and continue to support our most vulnerable to make the borough a thriving place to live, work and enjoy."

Have your say

The Council's budget consultation for 2025/26 is now live and is available on the Council's website.

The consultation opens from Thursday 14 November 2024 and closes on 10 January 2025. If you need help to complete this survey or need it in an alternative format please email [email protected]