Have your say on 2026-27 budget and corporate plan update

Hastings Borough Council is asking for feedback on our draft budget for 2026-27 and whether there is anything that should be added into our Corporate Plan, to aid our delivery across the five priorities in the plan – financial stability, tackling the housing crisis, tackling poverty and inequality, taking action on the climate crisis and promoting pride in place. 

The proposed budget for 2026-27 is positive and shows a small surplus, thanks to the savings policies introduced in 2023 and continued careful management across the last 12 months, building upon the balanced budget last year, and additional government funding for the coming financial year. 

Cllr Darren Mackenzie, lead councillor for finance, said: “Since May 2024, we have been working really hard as an administration with officers to get to a position where we have a balanced budget and have put the council on a solid financial foundation. 

“I’m really pleased that all the hard work with staff to find additional savings and efficiencies, plus our additional government funding in recognition of Hastings’ unique circumstances, has allowed us to put together a balanced budget for 2026-27. This was one of the key priorities in the Corporate Plan so to have achieved it so soon is a great achievement. We will continue to work on shared services and transformation as part of our work on local government reorganisation, and hope this will also bring further savings and additional resources.” 

The proposed budget also includes a 2.99% rise in the Hastings Borough Council element of council tax. 

The Corporate Plan was rewritten in 2025 and runs until 2030. Service areas have assessed progress that has been made against the five priorities and actions within the plan, and we are now asking if there is anything that is missing. 

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council, said: “I’m delighted to be able to say that our financial position has improved enough for us to have a balanced budget. This was one of the top priorities in the Corporate Plan. Thanks to the work that we have done as an administration alongside officers, we have been able to put together a balanced budget and even a small surplus which has allowed us to put forward some growth items into the budget proposals for 2026-27. 

“We are continuing to make good progress on the actions around our five priorities within the Corporate Plan, but now is the time to have a look at that progress and see what else we could be doing to work towards those priorities.” 

You can read the financial papers and the corporate plan update, then have your say online or email consultation@hastings.gov.uk. Please send your comments by 12noon on Monday 2 February so they can be considered at Budget Cabinet that evening.