Three Rivers District Council delivers a balanced budget with no service cuts

Three Rivers District Council will still be one of the lowest council tax authorities in the county – with an increase of less than 2p a day (about 11p a week) for the average Band D property, which equates to an extra £5.82 a year or 2.99%.

Depending where in Three Rivers residents live the percentage they pay to the council for Three Rivers services is between 8% and 11% - with more than 75% going to Hertfordshire County Council.

The council’s 2024/25 budget was approved at a meeting of Full Council on Tuesday, 20 February.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Council Leader, said: “Despite the ongoing challenges of inflation and the cost of living, I am pleased to say that our commitment to sound management and good value for money means that we can keep on providing reliable, first-rate services when you need and expect them, and we have managed to balance our budget with no service cuts.

“From collecting bins, investing in parks, play areas, car parks and open spaces to determining planning and licensing applications and making strategic decisions for the future of our district – I am extremely proud of this council and its employees.”

In 2023/24, the council secured £2.5m in grant money to help address the issues caused by climate change and to reach its goal to be a net-zero council and district. This includes a range of innovative programmes to help homes and buildings across the district to become more energy efficient and save residents money. And this year the council has set aside a project fund of £300,000 over three years as we strive to meet the net-zero goal.

Cllr Nelmes added: “We have continued to support the most vulnerable members of our communities by, for example, increasing the services provided through our Healthy Hubs scheme, offering support and advice on mental and physical health directly to those who need it and additional money for free child swimming for those most in need.”

The council will also invest an additional £80,000 to purchase extra parking enforcement as required and to fund parking schemes and put aside £100,000 to review our Conservation Areas.

The revenue account, which is used to fund day-to-day services, has a budget of £14.2m and includes efficiency savings of about £270,000.