There’s a chance for everyone to have their say on Hertsmere Borough Council’s budgets for the next financial year (2026/27) via the council’s engagement hub.
Next year’s draft revenue budget and the capital budget are now open for public comments before they are put forward for final approval at a full council meeting on 25 February, 2026.
More information about this year’s draft budgets can be found at Budget Consultation 2026/27.
The draft budget papers offer a detailed insight into the current economic climate and other external influences and outlines how the council proposes to present a balanced budget for 2026/27. The papers set out the outcome of the Government’s long awaited Fair Funding Review and the resulting three-year financial settlement which has been better than could have been expected for Hertsmere. The papers also explain some of the external pressures the council faces that can impact its financial position.
Cllr Chris Shenton, Cabinet Member for Finance and Budget explained: "A summary of our proposals has been prepared and there’s now an opportunity for everyone to review these and provide us with comments via our engagement hub. Our short online survey aims to gauge views on the proposed council tax increase and which of our services respondents consider most important.
"The Government’s Fair Funding Review has changed the way we now receive Government funding providing more financial certainty. The three-year financial settlement has been better than we could have expected and has enabled us to set a balanced budget for next year and the following two years whilst also investing additional resources into priority frontline services including Community Inclusion, Community Safety, Anti-Social Behaviour and Street Cleansing bolstering these areas of community priority.
“In line with the Government’s funding formula we will be recommending an increase of 2.99 per cent or £6.20, which equates to 12 pence per week, for our share of council tax which for an average band D property will be around £216 for next year to enable us to protect the council tax base value and continue to deliver our range of services for Hertsmere’s residents."
"We’ll be seeking final approval of our budgets at our full council meeting on 25 February 2026 and in the meantime, welcome comments on the proposals."
Under the proposals, a resident in a Band D property would pay an average of around £216 in council tax to Hertsmere Borough Council for its services for the year 2026/7 – just 59p per day. Hertsmere's share of the council tax represents around 9% of the total collected, with Hertfordshire County Council receiving 77%, the police receiving 12% and the parish and town councils two per cent. The county council and the police are responsible for setting their own council tax.
To find out more information, read our 2026/27 draft budget summary where you can also find details of how to fill out the online survey. If you are not able to complete the survey online, please visit our Civic Offices or your local library where a member of staff can help you to do so.
Closing date for views is midnight on 15 February 2026.
The proposed council tax charge will fund the key services the council provides including waste and recycling collections; planning services; housing services; parks and open spaces; community safety, street cleaning and environmental health; benefits administration and contributions towards voluntary bodies.