Herts Council Exhausts All Options to Safeguard Essential Services
Herts Council has explored every avenue to protect vital services amid funding challenges
Herts, Council, Funding, Services, Social Care
Hertfordshire: Each year, the council updates its Integrated Plan. This plan outlines funding for services for the upcoming year. This year, they allocated £30 million for adult care, £26 million for elderly support, and £28 million for children in care.
The Public Health grant is also set to rise. It will increase by £500,000 each year from 2025 to 2029. This means it will go from £9.4 million to £9.9 million, plus an extra £1 million in 2025.
Herts County Council mentioned that the government expects councils to raise council tax to the maximum. They adjust grant allocations based on this expectation.
Overall, the funding settlement will lead to a six percent increase in core spending power. However, this varies widely across different regions and authorities.
Despite the additional funding, the council has run out of options to protect services. They face ongoing challenges, including high demand for adult and children’s social care.
The council’s budget is also impacted by the Chancellor’s budget, which includes significant increases in the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions. Some costs are offset by increased funding.
Additionally, the council has received extra grant funding for social care. The Council Tax referendum limit remains at 4.99 percent, which includes a two percent increase for adult social care.