Published Monday, 21st November 2022

An eight-week consultation starts today (21 November) on Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s draft 2023-24 budget proposals.

We invite residents, businesses and partners to give us their views before the consultation ends at 12 noon on 16 January 2023.

Draft budget for services, challenges and opportunities

The Council has a strong track record of financial management and provides over 50 different services to our 151,000 residents: from waste and recycling collection, street cleaning and homelessness services, to business support and community safety.

Like all local authorities, we face continuing and new financial pressures due to a combination of factors. These include no central government funding since 2017, the current economic crisis including high-cost inflation, increasing energy costs and some remaining financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year the Council plans for the money it will have available and how best to spend it. At its meeting on 17 November, the Executive approved the public consultation on the Council’s draft 2023-24 budget. This includes how some budgets could be increased or reduced, proposed cost savings and increases in some non-statutory or optional fees and charges.

Help inform and shape the final budget

Leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Cllr Mark Brunt, says: “We welcome and value everyone’s comments as the Council continues to refine its budget for 2023-24. Every year we work hard to proactively ensure we use the money and resources available to provide the high-quality services our residents and businesses need. We have had to make some difficult decisions again this year, and it remains a challenging time as we continue to face uncertain financial pressures.

“I encourage residents, businesses and partners to give us their views during the public consultation. Your responses will help inform next year’s budget, ahead of the final decision at the meeting of the Full Council in February 2023.”

Budget proposals contributing to the additional income of £1.186 million and cost savings of £1.725 million are covered in the main consultation. Along with proposals to increase the Council’s 11p in the pound share of the Council Tax bill by the maximum amount allowed without a local referendum. In the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement he confirmed this to be up to a 3% increase, which equates to an extra £7.25 per year for the average band D property.

Due to their specific legislation and regulations, several of the proposed increases – for car park charges and taxi /private hire vehicle and operator licensing fees - will be consulted on separately.

How to have your say

The budget consultation will run from Monday 21 November 2022 to 12 noon on Monday 16 January 2023.

You can comment by:

You can view the relevant documents and supporting information on our Consultation website section.

There will also be paper copies available on request. Please call us on 01737 276000 if you have any questions about the consultation or how to respond.

Different way to feed back for some fees and charges

You need to give us your comments separately about the proposed increases in car park charges and taxi /private hire vehicle and operator licensing fees. Please do not include your feedback about them in the above online survey or other responses.

You can view information about how to give separate feedback on these on our Consultation website section.