RBC budget approved with further investment in services and 8p a week council tax rise
Last updated: 7/3/2025
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) 2025/26 budget was approved at a Full Council meeting on Thursday (March 6) that will now see over £27m invested in its services over the next five years.
It also means RBC’s part of the Council Tax charge will remain the lowest in the county and in the lowest 25% nationally.
A Band D property is set to increase 8p a week, at £3.89 for the 12 months from April 2025 or 2.46%, less than the price a cup of coffee. This is despite limited Government grants and recent high levels of inflation as the Council’s sound financial management continues to balance its books and ensure it remains debt free.
For West Bridgford residents who already receive excellent services and facilities, the Council continues to invest in the town via the West Bridgford Special Expense local tax.
This remains lower than many of the existing town and parish local tax rates and therefore the Council does not support a new Town Council for the area which would cost more to create and place an additional local tax cost burden on West Bridgford residents.
Despite the ongoing financial pressures, RBC is able to continue to support economic growth in the borough, developing and enhancing equipment and facilities with the investments planned in line with a focus on achieving net zero carbon as part of its environmental priorities.
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Governance Cllr Davinder Virdi said: “Projects in 2025/26 will include continued investment in properties, leisure centre upgrades and carbon reduction initiatives using the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and Reserve, vehicle replacement and other ‘simper recycling’ costs such as new glass recycling bins and continue to invest in new technology.
“This means an ambitious capital programme of £27.1m over the next five years to deliver our corporate objectives.
“The Council looks to balance the needs of both the more vulnerable in the community with over £4.5m planned over five years for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and support for Registered Housing Providers. The Council does not have a bottomless pit of cash with regards to DFGs and whilst further investment could be affordable in the short term, it is not sustainable or prudent when balancing with many other priorities.
“We will continue to grow the Borough, galvanising the borough’s high streets, and playing an active role in significant economic growth projects such as the Freeport and the development of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station site.
“The Council remains debt free and therefore does not have the burden of the cost of debt, so taxpayers’ money can be spent on the Council delivering services and not repaying both interest and loans.
“Council Tax is just one of the income streams the Council has. Given Rushcliffe is not as urban as other districts its business rates base is not as high. The other districts therefore benefit from better cumulative income streams for Council Tax and business rates. This further demonstrates the hard work this council does to spend our money wisely for residents.
“Local Government Reorganisation and government funding reform is ahead but the focus continues to be on delivering excellent services, maintaining service levels and enhancing facilities for residents.”