Help Guide Dacorum’s Budget for 2025/26

Dacorum Borough Council is inviting residents to share their thoughts and views on their 2025-2026 budget.
With rising costs, reduced government funding, and increasing demand for services, residents’ feedback will provide valuable insight into local priorities and help guide the Council’s approach to managing resources.
Challenges and Choices
- Reduced Funding: Government grants have decreased significantly, from £9.2m in 2013/2014 to an expected £4.4m in 2025/2026.
- Increased Demands: Dacorum Borough Council needs to save £2.6m over the next four years while maintaining essential services.
Community Input
The views and feedback from residents will help the Council understand local priorities as it looks at how to balance its budget. Areas where feedback is invited include:
- Essential Services: Waste collection, street cleaning, parks, environmental health, planning, and more.
- Community Investment: Support for local groups, leisure activities, events, and economic development.
Councillor William Allen, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Services, said: ‘Balancing the budget while maintaining a full range of services to meet residents’ needs is a complex task and a core function of the Council. Input from residents helps to reaffirm priorities and guide informed decisions. The views shared will help the Council drive forward both strong service delivery and financial accountability for Dacorum over the coming years.’
How to Participate
- Online Survey: Visit Let’s Talk Dacorum website to review proposals and complete the survey. (letstalk.dacorum.gov.uk/budget-2025-26)
- Paper Survey: Visit The Forum in Hemel Hempstead to request a paper copy.
- Deadline: Share views by Tuesday 14 January 2025 (11.59pm).
Next Steps
Feedback from residents will contribute to the final budget, which will be presented to Full Council in February 2025.
To participate in other Council engagements, please visit Let’s Talk Dacorum.