No Cuts Budget

ROCHFORD District Council’s proposed budget for 2026/27, which was considered by the Strategy, Finance & Policy Committee recently, will next be presented to Full Council on 17 February.
Investment across the district is a key theme, into the services and assets that people said were important to them in the council’s budget survey last autumn.
Despite ongoing inflation, rising demands for services and major changes to the way councils are funded by Government, the Council says it is putting forward a budget which invests in services, whilst maintaining strong reserves to protect the council and give it financial stability.
Some of the areas the Council is proposing to invest in over the next few years are:
More than £7m investment in community, leisure and cultural facilities to enhance all assets for residents to enjoy and to support their long-term future.
More than £1m investment into parks, play areas and public spaces including upgrades to bins, benches and public realm to keep areas cleaner and more welcoming.
Additional staff in planning, enforcement, community safety, sustainability, HR to support frontline services.
After presenting the proposed budget to the Strategy, Finance & Policy Committee this week, Coun Danielle Belton, Leader of Rochford District Council, said: “This proposed budget protects the services our residents rely on while delivering real improvements across the whole district in our parks, public spaces, leisure facilities and town centres.
“We aren’t letting Local Government Reorganisation put our ambitions for our district on hold, and we hope our proposed investments highlight this.”
A council statement added: “To maintain and further invest in frontline services, the Council proposes a 1.95% increase in its share of Council Tax, which is significantly below inflation. It would mean an increase for a Band D property of £5.21 per year (10p per week) for Rochford District Council services.
“The proposed budget will next be discussed at Full Council on Wednesday 17 February.
“To keep up to date with council news and events, subscribe for our email newsletters at www.rochford.gov.uk/tellmemore”
Picture: Council Chamber at the Civic Suite
Read more
Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news
X : @leighonsea_news
Contact us: https://leigh-on-sea.news/contact-us
Email: [email protected]