Budget consultation 2025-26

Overview

The county council faces a significant challenge in developing the budget for 2025-26. There remains a budget gap of £44.722 million, there are spending pressures across wider public finances and substantial uncertainty about local government funding for 2025-26 onwards.

Norfolk County Council is committed to making Norfolk a county where businesses, organisations and communities continue to thrive together. Our Better Together, For Norfolk strategy sets out our ambitions to be one of the highest performing counties in the country, overseeing economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for the people of Norfolk, while maintaining and cherishing our environment, countryside and heritage. 

However the county council’s 2025-26 strategic and financial planning has been undertaken in the context of continued uncertainty around the wider economic picture, as well as ongoing inflationary pressures and the consequent impact on both the cost of services we deliver, and the demand for services as households and communities continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.

It is in these difficult times that the county council cannot afford any complacency and, working with its partners, will have to consider how best to deploy its own limited resources to support the most vulnerable people and communities, whilst continuing to provide wider public services.

Although the council’s budget increases each year with Council Tax, it is not enough to meet growing needs and costs.

The October 2024 Cabinet meeting considered 2025-26 savings proposals totalling £33.552 million. The 2024 Cabinet meeting minutes are available on the Norfolk County Council website. They make a significant contribution towards our target of £44.722 million and will help the council to continue to deliver the key services for Norfolk’s residents, while balancing the books.

Why your views matter

We want to hear your views on our proposals to help our elected councillors make the right, even if tough decisions, in agreeing a robust and sustainable budget for the year ahead.

You can take find out more and have your say by clicking on the links to the three parts of the consultation below.