Rutland County Council Unveils Budget to Defy Funding Cuts and Invest in the Future, Consultation Have Your Say Online or Oakham and Uppingham Markets
Rutland County Council Unveils Budget to Defy Funding Cuts and Invest in the Future
Rutland County Council has officially launched a public consultation on its draft annual budget for 2026/27, outlining a bold strategy to invest £28.1 million in community infrastructure despite facing a "pivotal" financial period marked by significant national funding cuts.
The Council, which is legally required to set a balanced budget, is navigating a challenging transition period ahead of the planned Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in 2028. While early estimates suggested an increase in government support, a recent ‘Fairer Funding’ review has instead resulted in a projected 19.9% loss in government funding by 2028/29.
The "Outrageous" Funding Gap
The latest national settlement has left Rutland with just £640.28 per dwelling—less than half the national average of £1,413.94. Councillor Andrew Johnson, Cabinet Member for Governance and Resources, described the situation as "outrageous," noting that the authority now relies on Council Tax for almost 80% of its funding, compared to a 53% national average.
Investment vs. Cuts
Despite these pressures, the Council plans a £28.1 million capital investment over the next three years. Key projects include:
Health & Wellbeing (£8.6m): Improvements to Rutland Memorial Hospital and a new integrated health and social care "front door".
The proposed £8.6 million investment in Health & Wellbeing is a central pillar of Rutland County Council’s "Operation Legacy," aimed at strengthening community foundations before the planned local government reorganisation in 2028. The plans focus on shifting from reactive care to early intervention and prevention through the following specific initiatives:
1. Integrated Health and Social Care "Front Door" (Local Link)
The Council is establishing Local Link, a multidisciplinary "front door" model. This initiative integrates adult social care prevention services with health and statutory partners to provide residents with one cohesive access point for support.
To launch this hub, the Council is funding a new, full-time qualified Social Worker.
By intervening earlier and reducing service duplication, this model is designed to improve outcomes for residents while reducing the long-term demand for high-cost care services starting in 2028/29.
2. Rutland Memorial Hospital Upgrades
A portion of the funding is dedicated to diagnostic upgrades at the hospital to improve local healthcare capabilities.
The Council is planning a pipeline development for a Meditech facility at the Oakham Enterprise Park. This specialised facility will include "clean rooms" to support medical technology innovation and local healthcare services.
3. CQC Improvement and Innovation
To meet the requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan, the Council is creating an Advanced Practice Social Worker post.
Risk Mitigation: This role is intended to strengthen adult social care practice and reduce the operational risks associated with having a single Principal Social Worker
4. Community-Based Infrastructure
The Local Link services will be delivered at Jules House, a community asset identified as important for supporting vulnerable residents. A contractor has already been appointed, with project delivery scheduled for 2026.
Economic Growth (£7.7m): Development of a new Cultural Centre and upgrades to the public realm.
In its latest budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), Rutland County Council has earmarked £7.7 million for Economic Growth, a priority aimed at building a productive rural economy and diverse business base.
This investment is part of "Operation Legacy," a strategy to strengthen Rutland’s infrastructure before the transition to a new unitary authority in 2028. The details of the economic growth plans are as follows:
1. Cultural Centre Development
The Council is planning to transform and reconfigure existing assets to create a multi-functional space for the community and visitors:
The project involves exploring the creation of a facility that can accommodate the Chamber, Arts, Music, and Cinema.
The plans include reconfiguring the current Museum site to support the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) objectives, which will incorporate digitised displays.
There is a proposal to expand the Registrars service onto the first floor of the "Cottage" asset to accommodate the space required by the broader Museum project.
The budget allocates short-term investment from the Process Improvement Fund to deliver the Cultural Centre Investment.
2. Public Realm Upgrades
These upgrades are designed to enhance the physical environment and attractiveness of Rutland’s town centres to support local businesses and tourism:
The capital investment is specifically targeted at enhancing Oakham and Uppingham town centres.
By improving the public realm, the Council aims to create a more vibrant environment that supports a sustainable business base and provides opportunities for everyone.
3. Strategic Planning for Growth
Beyond physical assets, the economic growth budget supports long-term strategic planning:
Funding is allocated for the development of a new Local Plan, which will guide future development across the county.
The Council is investing in a masterplan for the Woolfox area to manage future growth and infrastructure.
A masterplan review is proposed for Oakham Enterprise Park to address site risks, retain tenants, and guide future redevelopment decisions. This includes supporting the relocation of Highways and Transport services to the site.
Climate Action (£4.0m): Rollout of food waste collections and active travel infrastructure.
Rutland County Council’s £4.0 million Climate Action proposal is a core part of its "Operation Legacy" strategy, focusing on statutory environmental requirements and sustainable infrastructure before the 2028 local government reorganisation.
The two primary initiatives within this investment are:
1. Weekly Food Waste Collection Rollout
As part of its ambition to reduce waste and increase recycling, the Council is preparing for a significant change in waste management
A separate, weekly food waste collection service is scheduled to launch by March 2026
The Council has already procured new food waste caddies for households, along with smaller black (residual waste) bins to encourage residents to recycle more
The Council anticipates that the savings generated from reduced disposal costs for residual waste will pay for the new food waste service, meaning it can be introduced without requiring cuts to other services
Fleet Investment: Improvements in service reliability and fewer missed collections have already been supported by an investment in new vehicles in 2024
2. Active Travel and Energy Infrastructure
The proposal also targets carbon reduction through transportation and energy planning:
Funding is allocated for "active travel" projects, which typically include infrastructure for walking and cycling to reduce reliance on cars.
The Council has commissioned an Local Area Energy Plan to identify specific actions to reduce emissions and energy usage across the county
The Council plans to use its Premises Team to monitor energy usage and conduct a carbon audit to establish a baseline for further reducing the Council's own energy consumption
Environmental Impact and Strategy
The Council has formally acknowledged a climate emergency since January 2021 and has implemented a Carbon Impact Assessment for all budget proposals
To fund these ambitions and cover rising costs, the Council has identified £4.4 million in Cuts for the coming year.
Rutland County Council’s £4.4 million Climate Action proposal is a core part of its "Operation Legacy" strategy, focusing on statutory environmental requirements and sustainable infrastructure before the 2028 local government reorganisation.
The two primary initiatives within this investment are:
1. Weekly Food Waste Collection Rollout
As part of its ambition to reduce waste and increase recycling, the Council is preparing for a significant change in waste management:
A separate, weekly food waste collection service is scheduled to launch by March 2026
The Council has already procured new food waste caddies for households, along with smaller black (residual waste) bins to encourage residents to recycle more
The Council anticipates that the savings generated from reduced disposal costs for residual waste will pay for the new food waste service, meaning it can be introduced without requiring cuts to other services
Fleet Investment: Improvements in service reliability and fewer missed collections have already been supported by an investment in new vehicles in 2024
2. Active Travel and Energy Infrastructure
The proposal also targets carbon reduction through transportation and energy planning:
Active Travel Infrastructure: Funding is allocated for "active travel" projects, which typically include infrastructure for walking and cycling to reduce reliance on cars.
Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP): The Council has commissioned an LAEP to identify specific actions to reduce emissions and energy usage across the county
Carbon Auditing: The Council plans to use its Premises Team to monitor energy usage and conduct a carbon audit to establish a baseline for further reducing the Council's own energy consumption
Environmental Impact and Strategy
The Council has formally acknowledged a climate emergency since January 2021 and has implemented a Carbon Impact Assessment for all budget proposals
Council Tax and Precept Demands
The draft budget proposes a total Council Tax increase of 3.9%. This consists of:
1.9% General Precept: To fund daily operations and services.
2.0% Adult Social Care Precept: Specifically earmarked to manage the £1.4 million rise in demand-led pressures for adult care packages.
If approved, the average Band D property will see an increase of approximately £7.21 per month.
Budget Highs and Lows:
Have Your Say
The public consultation is open until 5:00 pm on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. Residents are encouraged to share their views through a survey at
Oakham Market: Wednesday, 21 January (9 am – 2 pm)
Uppingham Market: Friday, 23 January (9 am – 2 pm)
The final budget will be debated and decided by Full Council in late February.
