Council tax to rise just under 5% across Hertfordshire
Council Tax will be increased by 2.99%, with an additional 2% dedicated to Adult Social Care
Hertfordshire County Councillors have approved to increase council tax by 4.99% in its budget for the 2026/27 financial year, the most it can be increased by without a local referendum.
Leaders say the council is facing an “incredibly challenging financial backdrop”, due to rising costs alongside a drop in government grants.
The budget, set at £1.2 billion, outlines steps to support Hertfordshire residents with a focus on health, education, and infrastructure.
Extra investment in services will total £107 million.
However, to help fund these changes, Council Tax will be increased by 2.99%, with an additional 2% dedicated to Adult Social Care.
The budget includes raising funding of £21 million for senior and vulnerable residents' home and residential care, growing to £62 million by the third year.
There’s also a planned £23 million to meet the needs of older adults and those with disabilities, earmarked for workforce recruitment in adult care and maintaining crucial support services.
County Councillors also say children’s services are set to benefit with £16 million supporting stable environments for children in care and those with disabilities, including a £1.4 million boost in fostering allowances.
SEND opportunities will see £6.3 million invested in recruiting more Educational Psychologists and staff for collaborative family support.
Additionally, new initiatives to develop nearly 200 zones limiting driving speeds to 20 mph will see a £1.5 million investment over two years.
The financial backdrop is complex, as Hertfordshire faces reduced grant funding while demands and service costs rise.
The council will continue to seek efficiency savings of £55 million beyond the £42 million realized in 2025/26, along with increased income projections of £12 million.
Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: "This budget is ambitious and affordable, it supports our vision for a sustainable, inclusive and thriving Hertfordshire, and provides extra funding for the services our residents value most.
“We want to help children and young people thrive, support those most in need and fix Hertfordshire’s roads and buses which is why we are investing an extra £107 million to deliver these priorities alongside the hundreds of vital services we deliver daily.
“We would like to do even more, but we are setting this budget against an incredibly challenging financial backdrop. Despite this, the budget will enable us to continue to deliver high quality services to Hertfordshire’s communities."