Hard work pays off as West Norfolk proposes balanced budget for 2025/26

The borough council has turned around a £4m forecast budget gap to put forward a balanced financial position for 2025/26 – without using financial reserves.  

Since the autumn, the council has undertaken extensive work to identify proposed savings and efficiencies that do not impact front-line services. As a result, a sustainable balanced budget is proposed, without drawing on limited reserves, putting West Norfolk in a strong position to continue to deliver for communities and invest in local priorities.

This is despite significant financial challenges across local government, which will see many other councils dip further into limited reserves, plus the added pressure in West Norfolk of having to help fund Internal Drainage Board levies.

The draft budget report will be considered by Cabinet on 4 February and Full Council on 27 February.

The proposed council tax rise for the borough council’s part of the average council tax bill is £5. This means West Norfolk would continue to have one of the lowest council tax levels in the country. Council tax support would be maintained at 100% to help the most vulnerable.

Some increases to some fees and charges are proposed to bring them back in line with inflationary increases going forwards. Some fees will remain the same to reflect, for example, wider market conditions.

The report includes the key results of the council’s recent budget survey, to which 1,093 people responded. Waste and recycling collection was identified as residents’ most important priority, followed by tackling anti-social behaviour and crime, managing coastal change and flood risk, and supporting people who need daily help in their lives.

Just over half of survey respondents would have been in favour of increasing council tax by more than £5 to help pay for services, while a similar number favoured raising fees and charges in line with inflation. The proposed changes to fees and charges will bring these in line with inflation.

Residents were also invited to make comments and suggestions, which varied from opinions on parking and public transport to suggesting advertising on council YouTube meetings and licensing cyclists.

Cllr Alistair Beales, the council’s leader, said:

“An enormous amount of hard work has gone into shaping this draft budget for Full Council to consider, and I would like to thank all involved in the incredible efforts to turn around the forecast deficit.

“It protects our limited reserves and makes significant savings and efficiencies, while maintaining a good level of services for residents – especially those who are vulnerable or need more support.

“At a time when many councils are struggling and dipping into reserves, I’m proud that in West Norfolk we’re putting forward a strong and sustainable position to continue investing in local priorities and delivering for communities in these challenging times.

“The draft budget also reflects much of what people told us was important to them in the budget survey and I would like to thank people for their time in giving their views. There was a clear message that the council should focus on core services and deliver them efficiently. I believe this budget will help us to do that.”

Please visit www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/annualbudget for more about the budget and survey results.