Share your views - Surrey County Council Budget Consultation 2025/26

Overview

All local authorities across the country are facing financial challenges and issues outside of our control, such as higher costs, reduced funding from central government, and rapidly rising demand for services. This has increased the cost of providing vital services to residents.

At Surrey County Council, the majority of our budget is spent on looking after those people who need us most, through Adult Social Care and Children’s services. Lots of what we do – particularly across Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, Trading Standards, and environmental services – is about keeping people safe and preventing or responding to serious incidents.

The diagram below shows how our budget is allocated across all the services we provide in the current financial year. The figures are based on the average Band D Council Tax per year of £1,758.60.

This represents the total budget split by the portion of Band D Council Tax value. Some areas are funded by specific grants which are not reflected here.

While our finances are well managed, we are not immune to the huge challenges facing the local government sector and society more widely. The way in which we use our financial resources is becoming more constrained.

By law, we have to balance our budget each year - this means we cannot spend more than we receive in income from council tax, grants and other sources. Due to the challenges set out above, this is an increasingly difficult task. To help inform our decision-making and make sure we're spending our budget on the right things, we're asking you to share with us what are the most important outcomes that you are looking for from us as an organisation. 

Why your views matter

Your views will inform a draft of the budget, which will be considered by the council’s Cabinet in November 2024. If the draft is agreed, we then plan to consult further over the winter on proposals for balancing the budget in the next financial year for 2025/26. Then, in February 2025, the Council will agree a medium-term (five-year) financial strategy.

Your responses are anonymous and completing this survey should take no more than 10 minutes. 

Privacy statement

All responses are strictly confidential, and your data will be used in-line with our data protection policy which can be found here.

Closing date

This survey will close on 23:59 on Monday 30 September 2024.

Alternative formats

Alternative versions of the survey can be found in the related documents section at the bottom of this page.  If you require the survey in a different format, language or in hard copy (including a stamped addressed envelope to return the survey), please contact Surrey County Council as follows:

• Telephone: 03456 009 009 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays)
• Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 03456 009 009
• Text (SMS): 07860 053 465
• British Sign Language: Sign Language Video Relay Service
• Email: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk