Our budget process
Our Council Plan sets out our objectives, and our budgets follow on from this. They are monitored monthly, and reviewed annually.
Once the Council Plan is finalised, our priorities are reviewed and during the summer the draft revenue budgets is compiled. Budget preparation is carried out by our individual service areas and accountancy team. The draft budget including any proposals is reviewed by our Management Team before being considered by our cross-party budget working group throughout the summer and autumn.
The draft budget feeds into our Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which includes budget projections for the following two years, including detailed information on the base budget (the cost of continuing the existing level of service), bids for growth, and options for reductions.
In January, we consult with the general public on our budget.
In February, along with a draft capital strategy and information on resources and proposals for the next three years' capital programmes, the budget is considered by the Executive.
The Executive makes recommendations to Full Council on the budget and council tax for the Council to make the final decisions.
You can also see budgets from previous years.