Stratford-on-Avon District Council budget proposals now out for consultation

District residents are now being asked for their views on Stratford-on-Avon District Council's proposed budget for the next five years, which includes continued support for the cost-of-living crisis, help for the rural communities and vulnerable residents, support to address the Climate Emergency and resources to implement the new Council Plan.

The District Council's Cabinet approved public consultation on the proposals for the next five years from 2024/25 to 2028/29 at its meeting on Monday 15 January.

Have your say
The District Council is seeking your views and suggestions and invite you to complete the survey below. We want to stress that no decisions have been made yet, and we want people to have their say in our consultation.

The budget consultation is now live: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/sdcbudget2024

 Deadline for the consultation is Tuesday 6 February.

Cllr David Curtis, Resources Portfolio said: "I will also be holding some informal drop-in sessions at the District Council offices, where you can learn more about the budget proposals and I'll answer any questions residents may have and you can tell us what you think."

Drop-in sessions
Main Reception, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon

• Monday 22 January - 11.30am to 1.30pm
• Tuesday 30 January - 2.30pm to 4.30pm
• Friday 2 February - 10am - 12noon

For residents affected by inflation and other cost of living issues please visit our website, to see what support is available: Cost of Living Support | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Following the consultation with residents, businesses and the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the findings will be considered by The Cabinet on Monday 12 February before being presented to the Full Council meeting on 26 February for final ratification.

The budget proposals include:

Rural communities and vulnerable residents

• £28,000 for Rural Crime Advisors, working with Community Safety Team, to improve response to rising rural crime.
• £85,000 to maintain support for the UBUS service, to protect the vital connection between isolated communities and public services.
• £5,500 for a new pilot scheme in Southam and Alcester for Customer Access Terminals in rural communities to enable face-to-face communication with the District Council.
  
  

Staying healthy and active

• £25,000 for a new Leisure Community Instructor to provide targeted support for people with long term health conditions.
• Reduction in hire fees for use of public playing pitches in Stratford-upon-Avon to incentivise more sporting activity.
  
  

Cost of Living Crisis support

• £250,000 to continue to protect residents from the ongoing cost of living crisis, providing grants for those most in need of support with energy bills.
  
  

Climate change emergency:

• £500,000 extra funding to enable the Council to achieve its carbon reduction targets.
• £250,000 to change the current refuse collection vehicles to the use of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel to reduce harmful emissions by nearly 100%.
  
  

Council Plan and Change Programme:

• £2million to implement the new Council Plan, benefitting residents within six areas of focus, including delivering better homes, boosting the local economy, increasing green spaces, encouraging alternative modes of transport, supporting Town and Parish Councils and their local communities and improving the overall effectiveness of the Council
  
  

The budget also proposes an increase to Council Tax of £5.00 for 2024/25 and 2025/26 and 2.99% thereafter, which for an average home represents just an additional 42p per month to the District Council next year.  The Band D rate proposed will now be £164.12 for 2024/25.

Stratford-on-Avon remains a low-taxing authority, 18th lowest out of 164 district councils across the country in 2023/24.