A multimillion-pound spending programme focused on the themes of ‘greener’ ‘fairer’ and ‘more caring’ has been unveiled by Cambridgeshire County Council ahead of debating a 4.99 per cent rise in Council Tax for 2025/26.
Council leader Lucy Nethsingha said: “We are making significant progress against our vision to deliver a greener, fairer, and more caring Cambridgeshire.
“Next year’s budget is going to be challenging.
“This reflects the position faced by councils up and down the country, including the much-profiled pressures on key services such as special educational needs and disability services, and the cost of providing home to school transport.”
Included in the proposals for the coming year, the council says it will be investing in:
£8.7 million capital on household waste recycling centres in March and Milton and up to £6.8 million capital investment across council and school buildings for low-carbon heating.
£20 million capital and £1 million revenue investments into the county’s 4,500 miles of highways network, footpaths, cycleways, and drainage systems in 2025-26, plus an additional £20 million capital in 2026-27.
£2.2 million revenue investment to conclude the partnership-driven Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission and respond to its recommendations with interventions to address the root causes of poverty.
The Household Support Fund, of some £6m, to support people who are struggling, to help people maximise their income and to provide holiday school food vouchers to support families who are suffering the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
£1.3 million revenue investment to create more flexible spaces in libraries by communities and residents, and £350,000 capital investment for the mobile library fleet.
Over £35 million revenue investment in adult social care over the next three years to support the local care sector, including £20m over three years to stabilise the workforce by paying care workers the Real Living Wage.
£26 million capital investment in new primary school builds and expansions, £17 million capital investment in secondary schools to provide 2,500 new places, and £8 million capital investment to create additional high needs education places.
£1.3 million revenue investment to create two in-county residential homes for children with complex needs, reducing dependence on expensive out of county provision.
The county council has today (Monday, 9 December), shared its proposals to continue delivering its vision “of a creating a greener, fairer, and more caring Cambridgeshire.
“Part of these proposals will identify the council’s priorities for where to spend over £1billion to deliver services and support for people and communities across the county,” said a council spokesperson.
“However, rising demand for the services we provide, along with the costs of those services also rising, continues to impact the county council’s available funding, just as is the case with many other local authorities.
“That means we also must continue to make difficult choices about where we spend and where we make savings.”
The spokesperson confirmed a budget gap of £34.2 million in 2025-26 “which needs to be closed”.
As part of the report to be discussed by councillors, this includes a proposed Council Tax increase of 4.99 per cent for 2025-26.
“This increase would generate around £20 million in additional funding, not only helping the council to balance the books and set a legal budget,” said the spokesperson.
But the spokesperson added it would ensure the council can maintain investment in the county’s highway and cycleway network and provide £30 million to meet rising demand and costs.
Almost £0.8 billion of capital expenditure will finance schools, care and community facilities, libraries, and help deliver an ambitious net zero target.
£2.5m will maintain holiday school vouchers for those most in need.
And home to school transport for children in education right across the county requires a further £4.7 million to help meet rising demands and costs.
PHOTO: Terry Harris
The spokesperson said that next week’s strategy, resources, and performance committee (17 December), will also consider the council’s long-term approach to changing the way it operates “so that it can improve efficiency, value for money and productivity.
“This means getting the basics right and innovating the way services are delivered so the council can maximise the value of every pound it spends.
“This work includes saving £1.5m from rationalising office accommodation, and £0.5m from making greater use of technology”.
The council spokesperson said that during December the county council will be consulting with town and parish councils, other local and public authorities, business representatives, trade unions and residents about its draft business plan and budget.
Deputy leader Cllr Elisa Meschini said: “No one wants to put Council Tax up, but we have had to consider some really tough choices.
“And we are pleased that over half of residents who responded to our engagement survey support this 4.99 per cent increase.
Leader of the independent group, Cllr Tom Sanderson said: “These budget proposals underline our commitment to alleviating the impact of poverty across Cambridgeshire.
“The Cambridgeshire Poverty Commission, which we have helped establish, will be reporting back their independent findings early in the New Year.
“Recommendations from this work will help the county council and our partners to strengthen what we do to help address some of the underlying causes of poverty.”
