Join the conversation about setting our council budget for 2025-26

Every year we must agree a budget that sets out how much we intend to spend and where that money will be coming from.

Next year we will spend around £100 million on vital services across the city that people rely on us to provide.

This includes supporting almost 7000 people with housing benefits, making over 68,000 bin collections, keeping 1583 streets clean, maintaining 81 play areas and much more besides.

The funding we get from central government has been cut significantly over time, and like everyone we’ve been impacted by the cost of things like energy and materials going up due to inflation. 

The cost-of-living crisis has also meant more people now need our help, creating extra demand for our services.

Leader of the council, Mike Stonard said: “For some councils this situation has led to them effectively declaring themselves bankrupt.

“It is testament to comprehensive long-term financial planning that we are not facing the current fate of many other councils.”

Over the past two years the council has successfully bridged a gap of almost £10 million between the funding received from central government and the cost of supplying local services.

Cllr Stonard added: “For next year we’re proposing ways to balance the books that would mean continued investment in the things you’ve told us matter most.

“The proposals would also allow us to continue offering extra support to those with the most need and prevent us from making any cuts to vital services.

“It’s important we hear from the people of Norwich on this to make sure we have listened and got this right.”

To take part head to gettalking.norwich.gov.uk/budget2025-26 where the budget conversation page will be open until 12 January next year (2025).

Once it closes the feedback will be published in a report which will be used to help formally set our budget plans at our full council meeting on 12 February next year (2025).