Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet has approved its budget for 2025/26.
It discussed the plans at its meeting on Tuesday 11 February.
Council tax for a Band D property is set to increase by £3.89 for the 12 months from April 2025, or 2.46%. This is despite limited Government grants and recent high levels of inflation, as the Council’s sound financial management continues to balance its books.
In light of ongoing financial pressures, the Council says it is able to continue supporting economic growth in the borough, developing and enhancing equipment and facilities with planned investments in line with its focus on achieving net zero carbon as part of its environmental priorities.
This includes investment in leisure and community facilities, such as upgrades to Keyworth and Cotgrave Leisure Centres, the council’s vehicle fleet for refuse collection, and a further £4.5m commitment over five years for Disabled Facilities Grants. This will help some of the most vulnerable residents who might otherwise not receive support.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Governance, Cllr Davinder Virdi, said:
“Despite the financial pressures, we still have an ambitious and substantial capital programme of £27.1m to invest over the next five years.
“RBC faces the same risks as any other council but is fortunate to be in a relatively stable financial position going into the next five-year budget cycle.
“Unlike many, we are not making service reductions and aim to continue improving our services and growing the borough economically.
“Our sound finances are the result of hard work over a long period of time. Bearing in mind that inflation has been over 2%, while the assumed income streams from government amount to just 0.9%, it is essential that we maintain a commercial culture, generate financial efficiencies, and remain forward-looking.
“We therefore have to raise revenues to ensure we provide the best services and continue investing in the Council’s assets so that services can be delivered effectively.
“We believe we have one of the best financial positions of any council in the country but appreciate the stark challenges many of our peers in the sector are facing, which we also share.
“We are heading into a period of uncertainty, with the likelihood of both Local Government Reorganisation and government funding reforms. However, our focus continues to be on delivering excellent services, maintaining service levels, and enhancing facilities for residents.”
A Full Council meeting on 6 March will further discuss the budget proposals.
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