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 schemes to increase health and well-being, continued help with the cost of living crisis and support for local communities.
The District Council's Cabinet approved public consultation on the proposals for the next five years from 2025/26 to 2029/30 at its meeting on Monday 13 January.
Have your say
The District Council is seeking your views and suggestions and invite you to complete the survey below.
The budget consultation is now live: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/budgetcons2025
Deadline for the consultation is Tuesday 4 February.
Cllr David Curtis, Resources Portfolio said: "This proposed budget will fund a number of schemes directly benefitting our residents as well as supporting our main Council priorities -from health and well-being to protecting and improving our environment.
"There is still a lot of uncertainty around the Government's Devolution White Paper and this budget was prepared ahead of the publication of this, so there may be some changes due later in the year. But for now with the proposed budget in place we are able to continue to fund current services as well as a number of new initiatives and support a number of growth items."
Following the consultation with residents, businesses and the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the findings will be considered by The Cabinet on Monday 10 February before being presented to the Full Council meeting on 24 February for final ratification.
Despite the publication of the Government's English Devolution White Paper in December, to implement unitary government across all current two tier areas including Stratford-on-Avon District in either April 2027 or April 2028, resulting in the abolition of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, the District Council will maintain its approach to the creation of the five year medium term financial strategy.
However, it is probable that this approach will change for next year's budget (2026/27) and there may also been a need for a supplementary 2025/26 budget mid-year, once the implications of the white paper are fully understood.
As part of the budget the following schemes are proposed to be funded:
- £50K additional funding for the Economic Recovery Reserve to encourage economic activity through one off schemes.
- £222K additional funding for Environmental Street Scene Improvement promoting public safety and security.
- £250K to fund various projects with the aim of enhancing and improving community facilities, services, and overall infrastructure, thereby fostering a stronger and more vibrant local community.
- £50K Trees for Parish Councils scheme.
- £100K for the Gateway scheme.
- £250K for the Stratford relief road study.
- £70K to fund the temporary closure of the High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon to assess the feasibility of making such a closure more permanent.
- £1.2m for an Avon Hydro Scheme to produce a fully renewable energy that could be used by local residents or businesses by utilising the natural drop in the Avon and waterflow to power a turbine.
- £2.5m for affordable and temporary housing to help reduce temporary accommodation costs.
- £80K to fund a screening programme in partnership with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust (GFCT) which is focuses on prostate cancer awareness and early detection.
- £500K for various Council construction projects.
- £100K to support Cycle Schemes aimed at promoting sustainable transportation.
- £100K for an Economic Development Officer to support the Economic Development activity for a period of two years.
- £30K for Women's Aid Domestic Violence project support, training, community awareness and work with partners to ensure the availability of their services within the district.
- £50K for a Business Conference, to stimulate the local economy, increase networking opportunities, showcase local talent, innovation and promote education and training for local businesses.
- £520K for the Climate Change fund ensuring the Council can continue its commitments to climate change throughout 2025/26.
- £150K for a new splash pad at the Stratford Recreations Ground play area.
- £600K to be used to directly target cost-of-living hardship through selected partners.
The budget also proposes an increase to Council Tax of £5.00 for 2025/26 and 2.99% thereafter for which an average home represents just an additional 42p per month to the District Council next year. The Band D rate proposed will now be £169.12 for 2025/26.
Stratford-on-Avon remains a low-taxing authority, 18th lowest out of 164 district councils across the country in 2024/25.
As part of the budget, The Cabinet also agreed to given notice for the intention to implement a second homes premium of 100% from April 2026.
This decision is subject to a further report to The Cabinet following the public consultation and written agreement from Warwickshire County Council to contribute to the additional cost of collecting this.
