Scrutiny considers budget proposals

Councillors are to examine the county council's initial proposals to bridge a £44.7 million budget gap. 

A report to Norfolk County Council's scrutiny committee says the authority faces a "significant challenge" to develop a budget for 2025/26, ahead of further announcements on funding from the Government in the forthcoming autumn settlement. 

So far, £33.552 million of saving proposals identified for 2025-26 make a significant contribution towards the council's £44.74 million savings target: 

• Adult Social Services, £16.520 million 
• Children's Services, £7.000 million 
• Infrastructure, £6.082 million 
• Communites and Environment, £0.613million 
• Fire and Rescue, £0.065 million 
• Strategy and Transformation, £1.670 million 
• Chief Executive's Directorate, £0.102 million 
• Finance, £1.5 million 

The Council will be consulting on a range of proposals for Council Tax, with views sought on an increase of 3% including the adult social precept, an increase of up to 5%, and an increase of more than 5%.  Every 1% increase in council tax would equate to approximately £5.4m of additional income. 

Public consultation on the budget will be undertaken over the autumn, once scrutiny has considered the report and made any recommendations. 

The scrutiny committee meets at 2pm on Monday, 28 October. You can watch the meeting, live or on demand, and read the reports online.