Council proposes balanced four-year budget with over £80 million invested in the Borough

The four-year budget includes almost £45 million of targeted capital investment across priority services and community infrastructure and a further £35.4 million ringfenced for housing services. Together these measures are designed to protect essential services and deliver visible improvements for residents, communities and local businesses.

Investment in services and communities 

Under the proposed budget residents will benefit from:

•    £2.5 million for community improvements. Detailed plans for how this will be spent will come forward to a future Cabinet meeting. 
•    Over £20 million to bring forward new sites to deliver new housing schemes which will increase the provision of temporary accommodation for people and families facing homelessness. Local accommodation will help families remain in the Borough where they can remain close to their support networks, jobs and schools and reduces reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation. 
•    30 minutes’ free parking in Council operated town centre car parks at Oak Road, Rectory Road and Richmond Hall, supporting local businesses and high streets. No new charges to council-owned car parks which are currently free to use and a commitment that parking at The Paddocks will remain free.
•    Investment in local heritage, including works at Solby House in Hadleigh. Subject to the permission of the Secretary of State, the Council plans to repurpose and invest in Solby House to make better use of an important heritage asset. 
•    Improvements to paths, parks and community spaces, alongside continued protection of the Green Belt to strengthen neighbourhoods. 
•    Continued investment in essential services such as street lighting, grass cutting and community safety. This includes the installation and maintenance of over 50 new CCTV units to reduce crime and the fear of crime and a commitment to continuing to fund overnight street lighting. 
•    Upgrades to our award-winning leisure centres and The Paddocks. Planned investment at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre includes a full sports hall roof replacement with solar panels and a funding bid for a new 3G football pitch. Meanwhile plans for the Paddocks include support for a new Active Wellbeing Hub and upgrades to Mercury Hall to boost capacity and modernise facilities. 
•    Investment of over £4.5 million in new refuse trucks to ensure a reliable service and a new vehicle workshop. In addition, there will be investment to move refuse trucks from diesel to vegetable oil to reduce exhaust fumes, making the Borough cleaner and greener. 

Major long-term investment in Council housing

A significant element of the budget is the strengthened Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-year business plan, setting out a major long-term programme to maintain and improve the Council’s housing stock. This is a once in a generation investment designed to tackle historical mismanagement, with the aim of reversing a C4 rating by the Regulator of Social Housing in the coming financial year. It demonstrates a commitment to tenants and their homes, righting the wrongs of the past and securing their futures not just for the medium term but beyond Local Government Reorganisation.  

Investment priorities within the HRA plan include:

•    More than doubling the capital budget for disabled adaptations over the next two years, with over £6 million invested in disabled adaptations over the next 30 years, helping residents live safely and independently in their homes.
•    £125.7 million of investment to ensure all Council homes meet the Decent Homes Standard, with all properties expected to be compliant by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
•    Almost £6.9 million for fire safety works over the next two years, strengthening resident safety and compliance.
•    Over £1 million over the next two years to replace pathways on housing land.
•    £1.2 million in 2026/27 to improve communal areas across Council housing.
•    A further £1.3 million in 2026/27 to deliver improvements within sheltered housing schemes, supporting older and more vulnerable residents.
•    Over £5 million to improve energy efficiency, with all Council homes targeted to achieve an EPC rating of C or above by the end of 2030.

Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, said: “This budget is about investing in what matters most to our residents. It protects the services people rely on every day and delivers improvements that will make a real difference to our communities. This would be an unprecedented level of investment in the Borough with a particularly significant investment in housing services across Castle Point.”

Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Borough Council said: “This budget reflects the hard work and determination of this administration. We came into office committed to strengthening the Borough and putting residents first. The scale of investment now being proposed shows just how far we’ve come. We are proud of what has been achieved and even more proud of the difference it will make for communities across Castle Point.”

Cllr Stephen Mountford, Portfolio Holder for Resources added: “Thanks to the strong financial management of the current administration, the Council is in a robust financial position. This means we can invest at scale, tackle historical deficiencies once and for all and direct funding where it will have the greatest impact.”

The proposed budget will be considered and debated by Full Council and Cabinet will agree the HRA next week