Have your say on how Herts County Council spends £1.2 billion next year

Hertfordshire County Council wants residents to help shape its budget for next year.

Householders are invited to take part in a survey, highlighting how £1.2 billion is allocated to services for 1.2 million people each year. Adult and child social care account for 68% of spending.

The 2026-27 budget from the start of April will include new measures to reduce costs. Since 2010, a total of £495 million in savings have been achieved, including £46 million over 2024-25 and a further £42 million in savings this year (2025-26).

The council wants participants to consider where they would prioritise spending of finite resources and invites them to share ideas to make further savings and increase income.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Our new corporate plan makes it clear we are determined to be a council that Hertfordshire’s people recognise as being on their side.

“One of the ways we want to achieve this is by ensuring that our residents’ voices are heard and reflected in the key decisions we make, including around our spending plans.

“At the start of this year, we were confident we would be able to set a balanced budget for 2026-27, which would also put us in a good financial position for the years ahead.

“However, the potential impact of the Government’s Fair Funding Review, coupled with the turbulent nature of costs associated with our services, means we are likely going to have to make some difficult decisions in our upcoming budget.”

Modelling suggests the county council could lose around £50m funding. The full impact will not be known until the Local Government Financial Settlement is announced in December.

Cllr Jarvis said: “That’s why it is so important our residents’ views and ideas are reflected in this process, so I would encourage as many people as possible to fill in our survey and help us shape a budget for the next year which is both affordable and delivers our ambitions and the services that matter most.”

Residents can complete the survey at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/budgetsurvey by Sunday December 7.