There’s just under two weeks left to comment on Leicestershire County Council’s initial budget proposals.
Residents and businesses have until 18 January to give their feedback by completing a short questionnaire.
The four-year proposals:
- Forecast a budget gap - of over £100m by 2029/30
- Pinpoint opportunities to drive down costs – including stepping up early help to prevent residents reaching a crisis point
- Earmark £131m more to support vulnerable people – in response to huge increase in demand
- Show the extra income that would be raised by a 2.99 per cent Council Tax rise - but the final level won’t be agreed until February, when there should be clarity on Government funding.
- Include £63m more - to cover National Living Wage and inflation increases
- Identify £45m of savings – plus early opportunities identified in our efficiency review
- Set out a £456m four-year capital pot – to pay for improving roads, providing social care accommodation and new school places needed to support new housing.
Over the last 12 months, demand for children needing costly residential provision has grown by 28 per cent.
This is your chance to influence the services you receive – and we want to hear what you think.
With surging demand continuing to push up costs, managing the budget is no mean feat but we’re committed to delivering value for money for our residents.
We’re laser-focused on identifying savings and making the organisation as efficient as possible. And we’re taking action by bringing in fresh pairs of eyes to lead a big efficiency review. This major drive is progressing well and starting to pinpoint real opportunities to save money - these early ideas feature in the proposals.
Person:Councillor Harrison Fowler, cabinet member for resources
Broad areas set to deliver greater service efficiency include reducing agency staff, stepping up early help to prevent residents reaching a crisis point and expanding a specialist team supporting people to regain independence.
They are part of a comprehensive review of the council’s £658m yearly spend, aiming to close the council’s forecast £106m budget gap by 2030.
Early next year, it’s expected to generate more detailed savings options and greater clarity is also expected on Government funding.
Key information
- The council’s yearly budget totals £658m - or £1.3bn, including all grants and income that relate to specific services. The authority is one of the biggest organisations in Leicestershire, spending around £20m every week on crucial services for Leicestershire residents.
- District councils, police, fire and parish and town councils all make up portions of residents’ total Council Tax bills.
- The council will set its budget at a meeting of the full council on 18 February, 2026.