Residents and businesses across Rother are being asked for their views on how the council should manage its 2025/26 budget.
Rother District Council wants to know what people think about its plans on council tax, savings, charges and income, use of reserves, and how some services could be delivered in a different way.
The plans have been drawn up to start the preparation for next year’s budget. The Council has had to start this process without knowing how much funding it will receive from the new Government. It has prepared a number of scenarios to assist planning for next year pending the Local Government Financial Settlement in December.
Proposals include:
- an increase in council tax of 2.99 per cent
- raising some fees and charges such as fees for environmental health services and charges in car parks
- making further savings in some services
- using reserves to help (although it is clear this is not sustainable)
- delivering services in a different way such as devolving some to town and parish councils.
Councillor Doug Oliver, Leader of Rother District Council, said: “Although we won’t know our full financial picture until the Local Government Finance Settlement later next month, one thing is clear – our budget is under severe strain and we will have to take some very tough decisions in order to balance the books.
“Last year, hundreds of residents took part in our budget consultation and we’re asking them once again to give their views. We have an excellent track record of sound financial management and that has been helped by local people taking part in the budget process. I hope they will do that again this time.”
The authority has started a consultation where residents can give their views by completing an online survey at Budget 2025, by sending in comments via email at consultations@rother.gov.uk or by post by writing to: Budget 2025 Consultation, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 3JX.
The consultation will run until 10 January 2025.
Published: 25th November 2024
