We have set out proposals for our 2025/26 budget. This includes how we plan to invest the more than £2 billion we are responsible. Our proposals outline how we will protect essential services. They also include how we will invest in the county for the future.
Residents and businesses have shaped our plans by sharing what is important to them. More than 2,100 took part in our recent budget consultation. Key findings include:
- concern about social care has risen
- more people are most concerned about the conditions of roads and pavements
- almost three quarters of people would understand if there was an increase in Council Tax to support services for the most vulnerable
With this and other feedback in mind, we plan to invest an additional £88 million in portfolio budgets next year. This includes an additional £8 million in road and footway maintenance.
Our budget this year has also been set within a national context of:
- high inflation
- the increased cost of living and providing services
- the impact of the Government's Autumn Budget announcements
- upcoming plans to reform the local government funding system
These issues are placing additional pressures on our already limited resources. In our budget for next year, we need to address these pressures. However, we also need to limit the impact on increasing living costs for households. As we result, we have proposed a 3.75% Council Tax increase for 2025/26.
This includes a 1.75% general increase and 2% increase in the adult social care precept. For an average Band D property, this would mean an increase in the county council element of Council Tax of £1.09 a week.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Chancellor of Essex, said:
I want to be very clear that we will never increase Council Tax more than we need to and Essex continues to have the lowest Council Tax for a county of our size. However, we must also be realistic that we are working within very challenging circumstances which we need to respond to.
“Our aim with this budget has therefore been to prioritise what residents have told us is important to them, address the current economic challenges we, and lots of other councils are facing, as well as evolve so we are fit for the future. It’s not just about the here and now, we have a responsibility to plan for the long-term. This has given us the opportunity to look at how services are currently delivered and where we can be innovative and more efficient.
“I am proud that we have once again been able to present a balanced budget for next year and hope that residents feel reassured that we are listening and by our strong track record in achieving good value for money. We never forget it’s tax-payer’s money we’re spending and every pound is accounted for and allocated.”
Our Cabinet will consider whether to recommend the Everyone’s Essex Annual Plan and Budget 2025/26 at a meeting on 21 January. The budget and plan will then be shared for approval at a meeting of the Full Council on 13 February.
Read more about our 2025/26 budget proposals and plans for next year.