Suffolk County Council is inviting feedback from residents, businesses and community organisations as it prepares its budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
An online consultation has been launched to explain the council’s current financial position and offer Suffolk residents the chance to share their views on proposed Council Tax changes and spending priorities.
The consultation explains how the council manages its finances, the cost-saving measures already in place and potential ways to generate additional income to support essential services.
The council can increase its budget in two main ways: through additional government funding or by raising Council Tax.
Residents are asked to share feedback on which council services they’ve used recently, whether they support an increase in Council Tax contributions and which areas they believe should be prioritised in the budget-setting process.
All responses will be considered alongside input from businesses, public sector partners, elected members and council officers as part of the budget planning for the next financial year.
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Economic Development and Skills, said:
“Councils across the country are facing significant financial pressures, and Suffolk is no exception.
“Every year, the demand for council services – especially adult and children’s services – continues to grow. Suffolk County Council has a strong track record of managing its finances responsibly, but public funding has not kept pace with rising demand.
“We remain committed to supporting our most vulnerable residents, and this means that we must sometimes make difficult decisions about other services.
“Local government reorganisation will help reduce duplication and free up money to reinvest in services. Until then, we must continue making informed, balanced decisions about Council Tax and spending priorities.
“That’s why it’s important we hear from Suffolk’s residents. Your views will help shape our priorities and ensure we make the right choices for our communities.”
The consultation opens today, Tuesday 14 October 2025, and closes on Tuesday 25 November 2025. To take part, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/budget
The results will be included in a final report when the budget is set in February 2026.
Please see the attached poster for the family carer workshop taking place in Haverhill on 29th October 2025.
A message from Cllr Donna Higgins on 14th October 2025.
Our aim is for a thriving West Suffolk for all of our residents.
We know that there are households both in West Suffolk and nationally who are simply surviving. They include residents who for whatever reason, haven’t come forward for the support they can access. It could be pride; it could be that they simply don’t realise that they could ask for support.
That is why West Suffolk Council has set up a Financial Inclusion Service so that, using data, we can target households who we believe may be eligible for support. That will include people who are retired, working and others who are looking to return to work. We can then help them check they are receiving support and to reduce their outgoings such as utility bills wherever possible.
Pension credits
Initially we are targeting households in West Suffolk who we believe may not be claiming their full Pension Credits. The Government estimates that nationally in 2023 £1.5 billion in pension credits went unclaimed. If they successfully apply, they may also be eligible for further help to boost their income.
We are writing to households we have identified. We are also offering 1-1 support over a phone call. Alongside this, we will also be attending community groups, events and activities to promote the support that is available to residents. We have attached a leaflet that can be used to help promote the service locally.
Letters will shortly be arriving at the households in West Suffolk that we have identified as likely to be eligible for unclaimed pension credits. Households that haven’t received a letter can still enquire about Pension Credits at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/cost-of-living or by phoning West Suffolk Council’s Financial Inclusion Service on 01284 757660.
This is to inform you of a new grant scheme that is being launched today, 30th July 2025, by West Suffolk Council.
The new Go For It grants are part of the delivery of the council’s ambition for a thriving West Suffolk.
The scheme will offer up to £300 of seed funding to help not-for-profit groups deliver improvements to their local area.
Go For It grants will back ideas that will bring residents together, inspire people to get more active, increase participation, support health and wellbeing or respond to local needs through innovation and activities.
This will help toward the delivery of the council’s strategic priority for Thriving Communities.
The grant may be used to support start-up costs such as equipment, venue hire, promotional materials, transport and more.
The scheme which is backed using £10,000 of funds allocated to the council from Central Government from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
There is no deadline for applications although once all of the money is allocated the scheme will close.
I’ve attached printable posters with a QR code as well as social media / website graphics. More details including terms and conditions and how to apply, can be found at
www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-grants.cfm
Please click here for more information.
Please click here for more information.
Please find attached a digital leaflet regarding the funding opportunities for domestic energy efficiency upgrades West Suffolk Council are promoting
Please click here for more information.
More Suffolk households can access free home improvements to make them warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, thanks to Warm Homes Suffolk.
Residents and landlords of eligible properties can apply for energy efficient measures such as insulation, solar panels or heat pumps.
Average funding of £18,000 is available for homeowners, and £12,000 for landlords and their tenants.
Warm Homes Suffolk is administered by Suffolk County Council, and delivered by East Suffolk Council, on behalf of all councils in Suffolk. It has been funding home energy efficiency improvements for two years, with funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
To be eligible, both of these conditions must be met:
And then either of the following conditions:
Once these conditions have been approved, an assessment of your home will identify which measures are best suited to your property. These will then be installed by trusted contactors, for free.
Please click here for more information
It is important that any issue that is deemed to be dangerous to either private property, the highway or any of its users is telephoned through on 0345 606 6171 so that they can be immediately assessed and action taken quickly.
Any report logged via our reporting tool will generate a site visit from one of our Highways Assessment Officers. Although they do triage incoming reports, anything logged with them out of hours will not be picked up until the next working day – which as you will appreciate will lead to a delay in attendance. The Councillor Highways Support email address is also not monitored outside of office hours and should not be used for anything that is considered an emergency.
Could I also please ask that you encourage residents to supply any photographs they may have – particularly in cases of drainage or flooding problems – as in many cases, the flood water will have subsided by the time our Teams attend.
Please let me assure you that all reports are assessed and the sites visited – but it is vital that they are logged in the correct way so that we can respond in a timely manner – and so that these are assigned to the most appropriate team within Suffolk Highways:
Please click here for more information.
Please click here for bus timetables
To view a full list of all upcoming bus timetable changes please click here.
