Tendring District Council’s (TDC) forecast deficit will fall by nearly £1.5m in the year to 2026 – but says that long-term financial planning is being made “increasingly difficult” due to government reviews and local government reorganisation.
The authority’s latest forecast deficit for 2025/26 has fallen by £1.45m to £56,000, which includes the impact of the government’s Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement and favourable income from Business Rates.
Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader, told the council’s January cabinet meeting: “There is quite a bit going on in future years, such as the government’s review of local authorities’ needs and resources, a business rates reset and reforms to the New Homes Bonus to name just a few. Add this to the potential impact of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, forecasting over the medium to long term is becoming increasing difficult.”
The council’s budget form 2025/26 is currently based upon a 2.99 per cent rise in the TDC element of council tax bills – putting an average Band D home on £199.52 per year, or just under £3.85 per week. This is an increase of £5.79 over the year – or just over 11p per week.
Mr Henderson pointed out that TDC’s element of the overall council tax bill is only around ten per cent or just over 50p a day. The bulk of the tax collected goes to Essex County Council.
The final decision on the council’s budget for 2025/26 will be made by the full council on February 11.
