East Suffolk Council has committed more than £58million to ensure the continued delivery of quality key services for residents as well as investing in the long-term wellbeing of its communities.
On Wednesday 25 February, Full Council gave approval to a balanced Budget for 2026/27 supporting vital everyday services as well as the delivery of programmes to improve the quality of people’s lives.
The annual Budget is aligned with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to ensure resources are effectively managed to meet the priorities of the Our Direction 2028 strategic plan.
Spending that is planned over the next financial year links with the Council’s key principles of tackling inequalities, enabling a thriving economy, promoting sustainable housing and delivering positive environmental impacts.
Over £58m from the Council’s General Fund revenue budgets has been allocated to pay for services such as planning, leisure, housing and environmental services, waste collection and parking.
The General Fund also allows for projects to help improve the lives of people in East Suffolk, such as supporting the most vulnerable residents through the Community Help Hub and the ‘Ease the Squeeze’ programme as well as funding the mobile community pantry and advice hubs until 2027/28.
The budget will also support the soon to be announced Thriving Places programme, which is backed by £500,000 in revenue funding and is set to revitalise the district’s small towns, villages and rural communities. Along with £1m in capital funding, the programme over the next two years will deliver projects that will promote sustainable local growth and improve community participation in our most rural localities.
Active travel in the district will also continue to be supported by the budget through the delivery of the East Suffolk Cycling and Walking Strategy and provides support for the cultural strategy and events such as First Light Festival in Lowestoft.
The Council is committed to securing a balanced budget, not just through setting council tax, but by utilising opportunities to deliver service efficiencies and generate additional income, while maintaining an appropriate level of balances and reserves in case of significant variations or emergencies.
Each year the vast majority of households’ council tax payments go to Suffolk County Council, the Fire Brigade and Police. East Suffolk Council only gets around 9% of the total. This year, the amount of council tax paid by average households (Band D) for East Suffolk Council services will increase by only £5.67 for the whole year. However, as in previous years, people on low income, or those in receipt of benefits, can apply for council tax support.
Cllr Vince Langdon-Morris, cabinet member with responsibility for Resources and Value for Money, said: “We’re pleased to be delivering a balanced budget to protect essential Council services that people who live, work and visit the district rely on every day. The increase in the portion of council tax we receive (based on a Band D property) equates to just £5.67 extra per household for the entire year – meaning residents paying only an additional 11 pence per week.
“However, this will enable the Council to deliver a balanced Budget which protects core services in the face of significant ongoing cost pressures from pay, service demand and inflation - which year-on-year continues to outstrip any increases.”