We’re taking a new approach to setting next year’s budget so we can respond more quickly to changing financial pressures. This will help us stay on top of unexpected demands on services and keep the council in a strong position to continue providing essential support for residents.
We’re now asking for people’s views as part of our annual budget conversation.
Each year we set a budget to fund the services and projects that make a difference to people’s lives. This time we are introducing a live budget. This means we will review it during the year to make sure every pound is used wisely and directed where it is needed most.
Our aim is to deliver a balanced and stable budget that protects valued services and supports our strategic document We Are Norwich which lays out our priorities to prepares us for future Local Government Reorganisation. This is a national programme introduced by government to reshape how councils work so services are simpler, clearer and better coordinated for residents.
Council leader Mike Stonard said: “Residents expect us to manage public money carefully and fairly. By taking part in the Budget Conversation, you can help us focus our resources on the things that matter most to people in Norwich. Your views will play an important role in shaping a budget that supports services, invests in our priorities and prepares the council for the future.”
Norwich City Council collects council tax from local taxpayers on behalf of itself, Norfolk County Council and the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Norfolk. We currently receive 13p of every pound collected, with 73p going to Norfolk County Council and 14p to the Police and Crime Commissioner.
We are proposing to increase our share of council tax by 2.99%. For an average Band D property, this would mean a rise from £306 to £315 per year. This change would bring in an additional £358,000 helping us fund essential services such as waste and recycling, environmental health and planning.
We also plan to invest in maintaining and improving council-owned buildings, along with our award-winning parks and open spaces. In addition, capital and government funding will support major projects across the city, including the redevelopment of Anglia Square and improvements to Norwich Market, The Halls, the Livestock Market and City Hall.
We want to hear what matters most to you – for both your neighbourhood and the wider city. Your feedback will help us prioritise investment and plan for a fair, sustainable and forward-looking Norwich.
Our We Are Norwich plan focuses on five priorities:
- a prosperous city
- a fairer city
- a climate-responsive city
- a future-proof city
- an open and modern council
We are working through several uncertainties, including the Government’s Fair Funding Review. This national assessment looks at how councils are funded and aims to ensure the system better reflects local needs and the true cost of providing services. We are also dealing with the cost and impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), a government initiative to reshape councils so services are simpler, clearer and better coordinated for residents, as well as wider inflationary pressures.
As this work progresses, we will adjust resources to support LGR and workforce planning, helping us stay efficient and ready for the future.
To support this, we are proposing a Budget Assurance/Future Readiness Fund. This would help manage pressures during the year and cover the costs of Local Government Reorganisation. It would be topped up by any Fair Funding settlement to help protect essential services.
You can take part in the budget conversation here. The page will be open until Sunday 18 January 2026.
Your feedback will help us plan for a fair, sustainable and ambitious future for Norwich.
