Let's Talk Money: What you said

In December 2025 the Council asked residents to give their opinions on how they think we should tackle our financial position. A total of more than 750 responses were received across the five weeks that the consultation was open.

We'd like to thank everyone who completed the consultation. The results were considered when the budget for 2026 to 2027 was prepared.

You can read through the full results of the survey and the details of the result budget in the Council report.

Council Tax setting

56% of respondents supported an increase to general Council Tax and the Adult Social Care Levy. The split for this was:

• 29% supported an increase to the Adult Social Care Levy only
• 20% supported an increase to both the Adult Social Care Levy and general Council Tax
• 7% supported an increase to general Council Tax only

39% of respondents did not support an increase to general Council Tax or the Adult Social Care levy.

5% of respondents indicated that they were unsure.

Areas of spending reduction

Business functions and democratic support

66.1% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 25.1% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 8.8% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Planning and economic development

49.6% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 31.4% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 19% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Education, transport to school and school support

47.5% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 23.1% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 29.3% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Museum, libraries, events, leisure and open spaces

41.9% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 27.8% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 30.4% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Homelessness, housing services and welfare

37.5% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 25.7% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 36.8% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Children's social care

31% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 21.7% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 47.3% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Waste and recycling, collection and disposal

30.5% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 30.4% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 39.1% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Adult's social care

29.6% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 24% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 46.4% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Neighbourhood protection and maintenance

16.3% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 25.3% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 58.4% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Highways and transport services

14.1% comfortable with a reduction in spending, 27.9% partially comfortable with a reduction in spending, and 58% not comfortable with a reduction in spending.

Income maximisation through fees and charges

57% of respondents said that we should be maximising our income through charges to cover the costs of delivering discretionary services.

28% said that they don't think we should be doing this.

15% responded that they were not sure.