Cabinet set to consider Business Plan and Budget for 2025-26

The Business Plan outlines the key projects which align to the council's priorities. Among the proposals is the continuation of investment into our town centres totalling £300k, namely, the creation of a new design guide for Hatfield Town Centre, the delivery of public realm improvement in Market Place, Hatfield as well as the creation of a masterplan for Welwyn Garden City town centre. Additionally, £6 million is earmarked for new council housing, alongside £58 million of capital investment to upgrade our existing housing stock, this includes the upgrade of kitchens, bathroom, windows, boilers and other work to improve the energy efficiency of homes

Under the Council’s fees and charges strategy, most fees and charges will rise in line with inflation. The average Band D Council Tax for the Borough Council is proposed to increase by £7.11 per year (less than 14p per week), and housing rents are set to rise by 2.7%, in accordance with Government guidance.

Cllr Max Holloway, Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Climate Change, said: "The Council’s ability to deliver a balanced budget grows more challenging each year. Once again, this budget has been prepared amid ongoing uncertainty, following the cost-of-living crisis and persistent high inflation. Years of significant cuts to local government funding mean difficult decisions are necessary to balance the budget, we are pleased to be able to include many exciting projects in our Business Plan for next year."

Cllr Jane Quinton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Leisure and Community, added: "Government funding remains uncertain, and grants continue to diminish, yet our priority remains to deliver quality services that keep the community at the heart of everything we do. We recognise the impact of rising fees and charges on residents and have sought to minimise these increases wherever possible."

The full Cabinet papers are available on the Council’s website.

The budget proposals will also be reviewed by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on January 9, 2025. Recommendations from OSC and any subsequent changes will be considered at a Special Cabinet meeting on January 21, 2025, ahead of a final decision by Full Council on February 3, 2025.