Council Budgets

The Council must set a balanced budget each financial year that is approved by Full Council.

Each year a Budget Book is prepared setting out in summarised format the expenditure plans for the authority for the coming financial year, and the forward forecast for the following years.

The budget process for both revenue services and capital projects begins in the summer of the previous year and takes account of:

known legislation changes
changes in service provision
the impact of inflation
changes in Fees and Charges
and current service expenditure and income.

The budget goes through a robust period of consultation with service managers and Elected Members of the Council before it is approved by Full Council, and is instrumental in setting an appropriate Council Tax requirement.