{"id":68425,"date":"2026-01-19T11:33:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=68425"},"modified":"2026-01-19T11:46:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:46:49","slug":"council-invites-residents-to-help-shape-2026-27-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/council-invites-residents-to-help-shape-2026-27-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Council invites residents to help shape 2026\/27 budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Devon County Council is preparing its budget for 2026\/27 and is asking residents to share their views.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, the council sets a target budget before consulting with stakeholders, including businesses, voluntary organisations, and the wider public. This engagement helps shape a draft budget that will go to Cabinet and then Full Council for approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s financial backdrop is challenging. While the Government\u2019s provisional settlement suggests an increase in councils\u2019 \u201ccore spending power,\u201d much of this relies on local council tax rather than central funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In real terms, Devon expects a reduction in Government support over the next three years, placing greater pressure on local resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council\u2019s target budget for 2026\/27 is \u00a3839.2 million, up \u00a333.2 million on last year. This rise reflects inflation, the National Living Wage increase, and growing demand for vital services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With resources stretched, the council wants to hear from residents about their priorities for funding key services such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n