HCC Budget Survey

Like all organisations across the country the ongoing impact of increasing inflation has added significantly to the pressures on HCC budget. Having set a balanced budget for the next two years as recently as February 2022, it has since seen this position changing at pace with inflationary pressures having an impact on the day-to-day costs of its services.

In short, it's costing a lot more to simply provide our services at current levels. For example, the bill to keep streetlights on has increased by 60%, that's an extra £2.3 million a year just to keep the lights on after dark. Despite this, thanks to close control and financial forecasting it has been possible to manage the in-year potential over-spend of £23.5million.

The leader of the council has lobbied for the county via the Local Government Association, County Council's Network, working with MPs and directly to Government to make it plain that an enhanced financial settlement is essential in order to keep the vital services running for the people of Hertfordshire.

Yesterday the government announced that it will provide us with flexibility to set our levels of council tax. However, before any decisions, it wants to hear from you.

Your feedback via this consultation will inform the discussions that our county councillors will have throughout January at public panel meetings and help decide the budget that is set for the council in the February 2023 Full Council.

The budget survey is open to everyone who lives and works in Hertfordshire and can be found herewww.hertfordshire.gov.uk/budgetsurvey