Every year we set a budget to decide how much money will be spent on services.
Councillors meet to agree how we use our allocated funding, which mainly comes from Council Tax, business rates and the government.
Budget for 2025 to 2026
Our Cabinet discussed the proposed budget for 2025 to 2026 on Tuesday 11 February 2025.
The proposed budget will now be taken to Full Council on Thursday 27 February 2025.
We are facing large budget pressures like other local councils across the country. This requires tough choices, but we are focussed on protecting the essential services which care for and support residents.
Read more about the 2025 to 2026 budget including a statement from our Leader Councillor Vince Maple.
Last year's budget
We commissioned independent financial specialists at the end of 2023 to review our financial situation. We did this to find opportunities to:
- reduce costs
- increase income
- improve service delivery.
Read the report produced by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
The report recognised that our overspend was unavoidable and mainly driven by rising demand and costs for Children and Adult Services.
We were granted Exceptional Financial Support worth up to £14.742million for 2024 to 2025.
We also asked the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to conduct an independent review of finances and use of resources in adult social care.
Read the adult social care finance report.
Financial support for residents
If you’re struggling financially and need help, you can: