Winchester City Council Budget/Medium Term financial Strategy 2022/23

Overview

Each year all local authorities are required to publish a budget setting out how they will fund the services they provide or activities they support.

As a result of the pandemic, the council experienced a dramatic reduction in the income it uses to fund services. In the last financial year (2021/22) Winchester City Council reduced its operating cost by more than £3.7m. Despite the challenging circumstances, we’ve been able to consolidate our financial position for 2022/23 and set a balanced budget.

Government funding of local authorities is reducing and we are projecting ongoing budget pressures in future years. We do have reasonable reserves which will help manage these pressures in the short term. However, it is likely that further changes will be required next year to make sure that our finances remain sustainable.

Cllr Neil Cutler, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Quality, said:

"Despite a tough year and unprecedented pressure on council finances, Winchester City Council is able to set a balanced budget for next year without any significant changes to the services we provide. We’re proposing to keep any increases to Council Tax and fees and charges below the current level of inflation. We are also proposing to not increase the charge for garden waste collection and instead offer a £10 discount to those in receipt of financial support (the largest discount offered by any Hampshire council). This budget sets out a number of proposals and I’m urging residents, businesses and other stakeholders to complete the short online survey below to support the plans or suggest the changes they would like to see.”

Please click here for the full budget report.