New year marks major decisions for the County Council's finances

Over the coming weeks, councillors from across the Council’s political parties will scrutinise ideas for savings as part of the next steps to address continued budget pressures that are common to many councils nationally – the result of growing demand for vital services such as social care for vulnerable children and adults. It follows an exercise held last year to consult the public on ideas for savings in some service areas.  

Should new cost saving proposals be agreed by the County Council’s Cabinet and full Council when they set the overall budget this February, some may then be subject to a further round of public consultation later this year.  

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King said: “Hampshire has always been a well-run council, and we have been successful in making over £0.75billion of savings over the past decade, by transforming how we work, and being more efficient, innovative and commercial in our approach to delivering services. But, since 2018, we have been highlighting that our budget pressures simply cannot be met by constantly reducing services. Demand in areas like social care and the provision of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities continues to soar and our budgets cannot keep pace. These services need to be properly funded, and councils need greater powers to enable us to better prioritise our spending.  

“We have asked Government for financial help, as well as changes to the law and funding for local government, but these have not happened.  

“We continue to leave no stone unturned to help balance the budget in future years. To ensure we are making the best possible decisions, last year we enlisted an independent panel of experts to challenge and support us. They will be providing us with a written report on their findings, in the coming weeks.  

“Reassuringly, we do have enough reserves to balance the budget for 2025/26, but that does not offer a long-term solution. So, for now, we have no other choice than to explore how we can make deeper savings throughout the next year which would aim to scale back local services to our core duties; ask Government to resolve the funding crisis; and carefully consider the opportunities arising from Government’s devolution and local government reorganisation plans – enabling us to determine and shape Hampshire’s future in the best interest of our residents. Our primary focus will always be on delivering for our residents, and irrespective of how local government may be organised in future, the support and services delivered to the county’s residents will remain.”  

A final decision on the County Council’s budget for 2025/26 and proposals for future savings will be made by the full County Council on Thursday, 13 February 2025.

Schedule of Budget Decision Making Meetings