Annual budget consultation
Publish Date: 20 December 2023
Residents and business are being urged to have their say as Wealden District Council has launched a consultation on its budget for the financial year 2024/25.
The consultation closes on 12 January 2024 and the results will be reviewed before the council sets a budget in February 2024.
The consultation is for the 2024/25 budget and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the next five years, the council’s General Fund (GF) and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budgets.
The council is also consulting on the increase of its share of Council Tax by 2.99%, which equates to £6.23 for a band D property for the year 2024/25, to agree General Fund Revenue 2024/25 budget proposals, estimates for 2025-2029 and the General Fund Capital Programme.
The Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the council to estimate General Fund Revenue expenditure and income for the forthcoming year from all sources, together with contributions from reserves, to determine a net budget requirement to be met by government grant, Business Rates and Council Tax.
Councillor Greg Collins, Alliance for Wealden (Green Party), and lead councillor for Finance and HR, said, “Setting a balanced budget is critical to this council’s continuing success, as well as being a legal obligation. Getting feedback from residents, and a whole range of our other stakeholders, about our proposed spending plans is essential. I’m keen to hear their voices and suggestions. I urge everyone in Wealden to have their say and so the survey will be available on our new engagement hub until 12th January 2024.”
Residents in Wealden can access the consultation by visiting the Let’s Talk Wealden engagement hub. https://letstalk.wealden.gov.uk/wealden-district-council-budget-2024-25-and-mtfs-2024-29-consultation