Rotherham residents are being asked to share their views on the Council’s budget priorities for the 2025/26 financial year.
The public consultation runs from 25 November 2024 to 17 January 2025 and will help shape how the Council allocates its £326 million budget across vital services, including social care, housing, and environmental services.
The Council is projecting a shortfall in its income for the coming year against its expenditure, meaning that a further budget gap is likely to need filling with a combination of reductions in spending or council tax increases. This follows a gap of £200m a year in the years since 2010.
The budget consultation offers residents and local partners an opportunity to voice their opinions on spending priorities, enabling the Council to make informed decisions on where to prioritise its spending or consider reductions.
Key areas of Council spending include:
- £122 million on Adult Care, Housing, and Public Health Services
- £65 million on Children and Young People's Services
- £55 million on Regeneration and Environment Services
- £56 million on Central Services
- £21 million on Finance and Customer Services
Rotherham Council is committed to protecting its most vulnerable residents while delivering core services like road maintenance and waste management. The Council Plan, which guides budget planning, focuses on creating thriving neighbourhoods, supporting people to live well and be healthy, enabling children to fulfil their potential, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting a cleaner, greener environment.
The consultation will run until 17 January 2025. All residents and stakeholders are encouraged to share their views by visiting the Council’s website to complete the consultation survey before 17 January 2025.
Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Our goal is to make every pound count for Rotherham residents. Your input helps us understand community priorities and focus our efforts on maintaining and improving critical services."
Feedback from the consultation will inform the proposed budget, which will be scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 5 February 2025, before being considered by Cabinet on 10 February 2025. Final decisions will be debated by the Council on 5 March 2025.
For more information and to take part in the consultation, visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultation-feedback/council-budget-2025-26.