| Residents, businesses, and service users are being invited from 13 October to have their say on a range of budget savings proposals as New Forest District Council (NFDC) plans ahead for future financial pressures. |
| NFDC spends approximately £59 million a year on running and delivering services across the district. They are consulting on a range of potential savings to address a forecast £1.25 million budget gap for 2027/28 to ensure local services remain financially sustainable.
The council is already making savings, seeking to grow income and improving efficiency, but inflation resulting in rising costs and significant changes to local government funding mean services need to change to balance future budgets and ensure that the council’s finances remain in a sound position. There are six proposals being consulted on across different council services. The proposals range from ending non-statutory services like business waste collection to revised opening times of information offices. Other proposals include changes to how revenue grants are allocated and reducing the overall sum as well as a review into the grounds maintenance service, and changes to public toilets. NFDC will consider the feedback received against the financial impact and other evidence before making decisions as part of the Council’s budget-setting process. Cllr Jeremy Heron, NFDC Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, said: “Making changes to our services is not a decision anyone takes lightly, but difficult choices must be made to ensure we are able to keep providing essential services coupled with a balanced budget for our community. “I understand that any proposed changes to council services have the potential to impact on people in different ways which is why it is important that we hear the views from a wide range of our residents’ businesses, and service users. “I encourage everyone to take part and let us know what they think about the proposals so we can fully understand how any of the outlined changes would affect our residents.” The consultation is open from 13 October 2026 until 11:59pm Tuesday 10 November 2026. People who would like a paper copy or support to take part can visit one of the council’s information offices. |
