ESSEX County Council has set out budget proposals for 2026/27 which focus on protecting essential services, supporting the most vulnerable and investing in the county’s future – while keeping council tax as low as possible, through one of the lowest increases any council has proposed says Essex County Council.

A spokesperson said: “Plans, published ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 27 January, outline how the council intends to spend more than £2 billion across the services it is responsible for.

At the heart of the proposals is a commitment to keep pounds in residents’ pockets, while continuing to deliver the services people rely on and investing in long-term growth for Essex.

More than 1,300 residents took part in the council’s recent budget consultation, helping to shape the proposals.

Once again, the condition of Essex’s roads and pavements was identified as a top priority. Residents also highlighted support for vulnerable people, improvements to infrastructure and the creation of good jobs as key areas for investment.

Reflecting this feedback, the council is proposing an additional £82 million of investment across key portfolio budgets in 2026/27.

The budget has been developed against a challenging national picture, with high inflation, costs of living pressures and rising costs for services.

Government policies, including the increase in the National Living Wage announced in the Autumn Budget, will also place further pressure on council finances.

During the consultation, more than 70 per cent of respondents said they would understand if council tax were to increase next year.

Despite an expectation from the Government council tax would increase by the full amount allowed this year, 4.99%, the council is limiting the increase as much as possible.

The council is proposing a 3.95% increase in council tax for 2026/27, made up of:

1.95% general increase
2% Adult Social Care precept

“For an average Band D property, this would mean an increase in the County Council element of council tax of £1.20 per week, or £62.37 per year.”

Councillor Chris Whitbread, Chancellor of Essex, said: “This is a budget that is firmly on the side of residents and businesses in Essex. It makes good on our promise that we will not tax people a penny more than we absolutely have to.

“We are doing everything we can to keep the pounds in our residents’ pockets, while maintaining the standards of services they rely on.

“We are proposing what we believe is the lowest council tax rise for an authority our size in the country, yet our proposals still deliver on residents’ priorities and on our Everyone’s Essex strategy.

“The budget continues record levels of investment in highways, focuses on protecting the most vulnerable so that nobody falls through the net, and uses our capital programme to invest in the long-term future of Essex.

“Local government finances are under pressure across the country. However, thanks to our strong track record of financial management, efficiency and productivity, we are able to deliver a balanced budget that meets residents’ needs.”

To help manage ongoing pressures and future funding gaps, the council will deliver £41 million of savings in 2026/27, while continuing to protect frontline services.

The council’s Cabinet will consider whether to recommend the Everyone’s Essex Annual Plan and Budget 2026/27 at its meeting on Tuesday 27 January.

The proposals will then be debated for final approval at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 12 February.

The annual plan and budget proposals can be found at: https://cmis.essex.gov.uk/essexcmis5/CalendarofMeetings/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/5713/Committee/36/SelectedTab/Documents/Default