Budget Consultation 2025/26

Overview

Rising to the challenge: balancing the budget for 2025–2026

Since May, I have had the privilege of leading the new administration at Cherwell District Council. We live in a district I hope we can all take pride in, where community engagement is high and where our priority at the council is to ensure you can receive the high-quality services you rely on.

Like many councils across the country, Cherwell has faced significant challenges in planning the budget for 2025–2026. We have had to navigate uncertainties around government funding, rising costs, and growing demands on our services. These pressures have resulted in us needing to find savings of £1.020m, which has required bold, innovative, and careful management to address.

Despite these challenges, we are proud to announce that we are consulting on a balanced budget position for 2025–2026. Achieving this has been difficult, but it reflects our commitment to responsible financial stewardship and protecting the services that matter most to you.

We understand the financial pressures you, our residents, are facing, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support you. Like households across Cherwell, the council has felt the strain of rising inflation. However, through careful planning and over £1 million in new back-office savings, we’ve managed to protect vital frontline services and keep any cost increases to a minimum.

How we’ve delivered

We have worked tirelessly to ensure the council remains financially resilient while maintaining high-quality services for residents. Here’s how we’ve done it:

• Careful financial management: We’ve identified opportunities to streamline and reduce costs without affecting essential services by reviewing every aspect of our budget.
• Driving efficiencies: We’ve improved efficiency across all our services, making smarter use of resources while preserving the support you rely on.
• Fair fee reviews: We’ve reviewed fees and charges to ensure they reflect the cost of providing services while continuing to offer excellent value.
• Innovative income generation: We’ve explored new ways to generate income, helping to offset financial pressures and reduce reliance on reserves.

A balanced budget, a stronger future

Balancing the budget is a challenging feat in such difficult times, but it demonstrates our commitment to sound financial management and our ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This consultation marks a key milestone in our ongoing journey to deliver ambitious, innovative public services for you and Cherwell, with a commitment to value for money.

Now, we want to hear from you. Your input is vital as we finalise our budget and continue building a strong, resilient future for our district and its residents and businesses. I encourage everyone to have their say in this consultation and help shape what is set to be a positive and forward-thinking budget for Cherwell.

Many thanks in advance for participating.

Councillor David Hingley

Leader of Cherwell District Council