Money made available for car parks and communities despite drop in Government funding 

Sound financial planning has allowed East Hampshire District Council to continue to invest in services, infrastructure and community support despite a sharp drop in Government funding for next year. 

Prudent decisions in previous years have meant the council not only has the funding to protect its high-quality services but can also dedicate funds to improve car parks and to grants to enhance community cohesion. 

In December, the Government announced it would reduce its annual settlement to EHDC from £2.6 million to £2.2 million.  

Meanwhile EHDC’s share of the Council Tax remains lower than most comparable councils in the region. 

Cllr Charles Louisson, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “Although these remain extremely challenging times for local authorities, thanks to our forward-thinking financial strategy we are in an excellent position going into the next financial year. 

“Not only can we continue to operate our excellent services but we have funding available to actively invest in crucial local infrastructure. For example, we are setting aside £750,000 to enhance our local car parks, the gateway to the district for so many of our visitors. 

“Our increase in Council Tax of £5 a year means our share of the precept remains among the lowest in the area.”   

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC Leader, said: “We have earmarked funding for community grants to support local organisations, community facilities and climate-related projects. 

“I am particularly proud to say that a further £150,000 has been put into the Leader’s Priority Budget, a pot of funding that will allow the council to back schemes that benefit residents across the district. 

“The financial picture for councils across the country is pretty bleak. Many are cutting back on services, very few have the money for community grants and a number are seeking exceptional Council Tax increases. I am proud to say that at EHDC we are sufficiently secure to be able to dedicate funds to directly supporting communities with grants and other funding opportunities.” 

EHDC is proposing a £5 annual increase to its share of Council Tax, bringing Council Tax for a Band D property to £156.92. Government rules allow district councils to increase their share of the precept by either £5 or by 3%, whichever is the greater. EHDC is one of very few district councils for which £5 is more than 3% of its annual precept. 

Budget bullets 

EHDC's 2026/2027 budget has been agreed. Where is the council spending its money and what does it mean for you? 

• Car park upgrades – in total £750,000 will be invested in our car parks, a vital gateway for residents and visitors to East Hampshire
• Leader's Priority Budget – a £150,000 fund controlled by EHDC Leader Cllr Richard Millard, intended to support communities across East Hamsphire
• Councillor Community Grant Scheme – Each councillor at EHDC is allocated £7,000 to support projects in their patch.
• Climate Change Fund - the council is setting aside a further £129,000 to support climate change initiatives 
• £5 Council Tax increase – our share of Council Tax will increase by £5 a year, making EHDC's Band D Council Tax £156.92 a year.