Rutland Residents Push Back on Climate Action Spending in Council Budget Consultation
Survey finds health and roads top priorities as council tax rise confirmed
Rutland County Council’s latest budget consultation has revealed that many residents do not want tackling climate change to be the council’s main focus, instead prioritising spending on local health services and roads.
More than two hundred people took part in the survey on the 2026/27 budget, with responses showing a split in opinion on how well the council is managing its finances.
Just under half said they understood the financial pressures facing the local authority.
When asked to rate the importance of different areas for investment, health and highways came out on top, while improvements to Oakham and Uppingham town centres and the local economy also ranked highly.
However, many respondents spoke up against prioritising environmental action in the council’s four corporate priorities.
Councillor Christine Wise told this week’s cabinet meeting that work on projects like flood defence, electric car charging points and rural bus services would continue.
“Many of these measures will be done regardless. These are things the majority of residents want to see,” she said.
The draft budget will see council tax bills rise by 3.9% after plans for a freeze were dropped following a last-minute change in government funding.
“Up until December nineteenth we had budgeted to freeze council tax,” explained Councillor Paul Browne.
“It’s a great shame that the new minister decided to re-allocate funds to urban areas... I do think it is demonstrably unfair.”
Some residents also questioned spending on social care and special educational needs.
Council leader Gale Waller responded:
“While it is true that we want to support the most vulnerable in the community, it is also true that we are required by law to support them. That is their statutory right.”
The budget will go to a full council vote on February 26th.