Budget and council tax in summary

Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you

As one of the largest and top-performing local authorities in Britain, Hampshire County Council provides vital services to nearly 1.3 million residents every day. We are providing the very best services we can, despite the challenging economic climate and within available resources, which amount to £1,749 million in 2009/10. You may be using these services regularly, for examples when recycling waste, receiving care at home, going to school, choosing a library book or travelling on local roads.

Funding the priorities

We are continuing to take the drive for efficiencies seriously, which helps us to balance our budget. Over the last five years we have achieved efficiency savings of £68 million. With a further £20 million savings planned for 2009/10 we are able to set a lower council tax than originally forecast.

To do this we have been changing the way we provide services and this year substantial savings have been achieved in the waste management contract. We have renegotiated the contract’s financing arrangements and through more effective recycling we have reduced the amount of waste for disposal.

Despite much success in achieving savings, we are not complacent. We are working in partnership with other Hampshire local councils, health trusts, the police and fire services and with voluntary and business organisations to improve public services, make them more efficient, and reduce costs, for example by streamlining or sharing support services. An example is the way we jointly recruit for local government in Hampshire through a shared website. Any savings from cutting duplication can then be used to reinvest in services or reduce council tax increases, or both.

As in previous years, despite pressures on the budget and the minimum increase in government funding, our efficiency savings have enabled us to keep our council tax among the lowest across all county councils while maintaining high-quality services.

How your services are funded

The Government grant provides funding for 22% of the cost of the services we provide other than schools which are fully funded by a direct grant. This means council tax provides 78% of the money needed to look after vulnerable people, the elderly, young people, maintaining our roads and providing other services.

The County Council is expecting to make £20 million efficiency savings in 2009/10 adding to the £68 million achieved during the last five years. After taking these into account we have set a council tax rise of 1.9% leaving the amount you pay in council tax still amongst the lowest for counties in England.

If you have any questions about the content of these pages please contact the County Treasurer's Department