The budget has been agreed by councillors at a meeting of Hertsmere Full Council on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 outlining how local services will be delivered and how government funding will be allocated in the year ahead.
Revenue and capital budgets for 2026/27 were reviewed and discussed, following a period of public consultation which provided insight into the views of the local community.
Councillors agreed a 2.99 per cent increase in Hertsmere’s share of council tax. For an average band D property this equates to an additional £6.28 a year or 12 pence per week per household – for borough services.
We receive only a small share of the overall Council Tax bill. In 2026-2027, just 9 per cent of every pound collected will go to the borough council, with the majority allocated to Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Cllr Chris Shenton, Cabinet Member for Finance and Budget said:
“The retention of business rate growth, as well as re-evaluation of pension contributions mean that we can balance our budgets without having to cut back services.
“As has been the case for the last two years, we are increasing our spending on services to our residents and keeping our council tax below inflation.
“This balanced budget keeps Hertsmere on a firm financial footing, with taxpayers’ money managed responsibly for the benefit of every resident.”
Highlights from the 2026/27 budget includes additional funding for key services including:
- £280,000 per year for enhanced street cleaning, funding new teams, vehicles and equipment, reinstating regular pavement washing, increasing more litter patrols and enhancing capacity to clear fly-tipping once evidential requirements have been met.
- £200,000 per annum to strengthen our Community Enforcement Teams, expanding visible patrols and increasing legal and operational support to ensure cases are pursued.
- £75,000 per annum to establish a Screen Investment Growth Fund reinforcing Hertsmere’s position as a leading destination for major film and television productions and supporting associated employment and inward investment.
- An uplift in Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme funding providing ward councillors in areas facing greater levels of deprivation with enhanced resources to deliver targeted, community level improvements.
The council tax charge will fund key services including waste and recycling collections, planning services, housing services, parks and open spaces, street cleaning and environmental health, benefits administration and contributions towards voluntary bodies.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of the Council said:
“Our budget will deliver growth, engender pride in place, and strengthen key services. It achieves this without depleting reserves or compromising future capacity. It harnesses our enhanced core spending power which has grown by 19% following the recent funding settlement from central government. It's a budget that combines responsible management with aspiration and ambition to deliver homes, jobs and prosperity to local people.”
“This budget includes the package I announced last month focussed on pride in our borough. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of new investment in street cleaning, doubling the size of our community enforcement team, both bolstered by capital allocations for new equipment and vehicles expand and support these services.”
“Residents will be reassured that waste collection, environmental services, key support for housing and homelessness, boosted by £100,000 of genuinely new money from central government, will all remain fully funded. It’s particularly encouraging that despite rising operational costs, all of those essential frontline services will continue without any cuts at all. “
The Council continue to fund Citizens Advice with around £257,000 to provide support and advice to residents such as access to benefits and debt management.
We also provide community grants to local voluntary sector and community groups.
Cllr Newmark concluded:
“Critically, we are continually investing in cost-of-living measures. Our council tax support scheme, the hardship fund, and targeted grants to community food and advice providers and Citizens Advice demonstrate a meaningful focus on protecting our most vulnerable residents. These are the budget lines that shield our most vulnerable residents from the harshest edges of the financial crisis.”