Have your say on council tax as Central Beds Council 'forced' to propose 5% rise amid funding cuts

The consultation is inviting residents, businesses and community organisations to have their say on budget plans and council tax, which is set to rise by the maximum 5 per cent.

This comes despite increasing pressures from inflation and growing demand for adult and children’s social care.

The funding cuts also mean potential council staff job losses and changes to some services, warns council leader Adam Zerny.

In 2026/27, the council says it plans to spend £328 million delivering hundreds of essential local services, many of which are award-winning or independently rated as good. In addition, £129 million is planned for maintaining and building vital infrastructure such as schools, roads and public facilities.

But due to changes to national funding made by the Government, Central Bedfordshire Council will receive £17 million less than needed in the year ahead. Over the next three years, this funding gap rises to £33 million.

A council spokesperson said: “Councils fund local services through a combination of council tax, business rates and government funding. While Central Bedfordshire Council has a strong track record of prudent financial management and has balanced its budget in recent years, these latest changes mean further difficult decisions are unavoidable.

“Over the past two years, the council has already reduced its workforce by more than 150 posts and redesigned services to operate more efficiently. Despite this, demand for social care continues to rise. In 2026/27 alone, adult social care and children’s services costs are expected to increase by £7.4 million.”

Cllr Adam Zerny, leader of the council, said: “Before the government funding changes were announced, two years of prudent financial control meant the council was forecasting a positive financial position, allowing us to start putting money back into reserves and limit council tax increases to 3 per cent, in line with inflation.

“We know how important it is to residents that they get value for money from the council tax they pay, and that has been our main focus, which we were on track to achieve.

“This huge government funding cut forces the council raise council tax to the maximum 5 per cent. Many other local authorities have been hit equally hard, and we’ll continue to argue a case to the Government, on behalf of residents.”

As a result, the draft budget proposes a combination of measures to balance the council’s finances, including:

> Further reductions in council costs, including potential staff reductions

> A review of grants to voluntary and community organisations

> Increases to some fees and charges

> Changes to some services, such as reduced opening hours and maintenance schedules.

The budget proposals are now open for public consultation, and residents are encouraged to review the plans and share their views before final decisions are made.

The budget consultation runs from today (January 7) to February 3, 2026.

Residents can find full details of the draft budget on its website and take part in the consultation online or pick up a paper copy at a council library from January 12.