A plan for how the council will spend its £233m budget in the new financial year to protect and support those who need help the most and to create a city of opportunity for all has been signed off by councillors.
At the Full Council meeting last night, twenty-one councillors voted for the 2025/26 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy up to 2028, with 18 councillors voting against and 11 councillors abstaining from voting.
In 2025/26 the council will be spending more money on care for the elderly and vulnerable and supporting children and families. Growth and regeneration of the city will also remain a priority, as it will attract more and better paid jobs for residents and put more money into the local economy.
The budget also includes savings of £23m, which are needed to meet high and rising levels of demand in areas such as Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care and homelessness.
Following public consultation, a number of saving proposals were changed to reflect the feedback received. A proposal to mothball the Lido was amended, meaning the facility will open in the Spring, albeit with the goal of attracting additional income.
The proposal to close cafes in the Lido, Flag Fen, Vivacity Premier Fitness, and the Museum and Art Gallery, which are making losses, have also been paused pending work with the operator to seek to achieve at least a break-even cafe offer so they can remain open.
Councillor Mohammed Jamil, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Governance, said: “This year’s budget setting process has been one of the most challenging on record, so I am delighted that we have now set a balanced budget for 2025/26. The hard work does not stop here; we now must deliver these savings in full and we are committed to doing so.
“Once again, I would like to praise council staff for their role in developing proposals and considering new ways of working to make the savings that we needed to. I would also like to recognise those cross-party members who have worked collaboratively as part of our Financial Sustainability Working Group to get to where we are now.
“We will continue to put all our efforts into managing our very difficult financial situation and that includes working with Government on a fairer funding model. The Government is clearly listening and understands the significant challenges facing local government, with more money coming our way in 2025/26 than we expected.
“Difficult decisions remain, as we look to continue delivering the services that our residents rely upon, but we are focussed on our priorities which are to help and support those who need our help the most and to deliver opportunities for all.”
The budget includes an increase in council tax of 4.99 per cent which equates to an increase of £1.59 a week for a Band D property.
At the same meeting, members signed off the new Corporate Strategy which sets out what the council is prioritising to deliver for its residents and the city in the coming years to create a city of opportunity for all.
It incorporates feedback from residents, including the need for a greater focus on improving the city centre, recognising the value of leisure and culture in the city, and including reference to support for young people with learning disabilities as they transition into adulthood and beyond.
Councillor Dennis Jones, Leader of the Council, said: “As we approach nine months in charge of the council, I hope that residents can see that we are a listening administration and we are willing to adapt and change following feedback.
“We adapted our draft budget following feedback from the public, and we adapted our new updated Corporate Strategy following feedback during the Shaping Our City consultation.
“We will continue to keep listening, and engaging with residents, as we strive to achieve the priorities set out in our updated Corporate Strategy. In doing so, we will protect and support those in the city who need our help the most and create a city of opportunity for all.”
You can read the new updated Corporate Strategy here.