Elmbridge's 2025/2026 balanced budget prioritises residents and community

• Expanding free parking to support our local economy and small businesses
• Funding for vital community groups and voluntary sector partners
• Continuing our commitment to a sustainable Elmbridge
• Investing in green spaces and play areas
• Promoting community pride 

Supporting and enhancing the lives of our residents is the cornerstone of the draft 2025/2026 Elmbridge Borough Council budget being presented to Cabinet on 5 February. This budget not only delivers valued services but also prioritises residents through community investment, supports those most in need, advances key strategic projects, secures funding for our net zero ambitions, and protects our financial reserves. It underscores our commitment to addressing the needs of our community and listening to our residents.

Our 2030 Vision has set us on a path to a sustainable and thriving Elmbridge, driven by the power of our community. Prudent financial planning and budgeting support that Vision, enabling us to achieve for the Elmbridge community as set out in some of the examples below:

• supported 135 young people with bespoke advice and help to get back into employment or training. 
• secured £56,000 of external funding to deliver year 4 of the Elmbridge Youth Hub with Brooklands College to help a further 120 young people.​
• backed our businesses with 11 new business boost grants helping to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions 
• installed 43 EV chargers across the borough.
• awarded 20 Elmbridge Community Climate Action Fund grants 
• introduced Remembrance Day parades grant to support 6 community-led remembrance events

A balanced budget focused on residents and community

To establish the 2025/26 budget, we are acutely aware of the savings and prioritisation we need to make to retain our financial stability. The best interests of our residents are always top of mind.

Our administration has successfully achieved a balanced budget through prudent financial decisions, without using reserves* for ongoing expenditure. This is particularly significant in light of the financial reductions imposed by the government, which not only assume council tax increases but have also made effective financial management even more challenging.

• To achieve this balanced budget, increasing Elmbridge’s portion of council tax has been necessary. The 2.99% increase is as low as we can have it while maintaining service quality and supporting residents. For band D properties in the borough this means a 63p increase each month. 
   
• Through our car parks we have the opportunity to support the residents and businesses in the borough both economically and socially. While we are increasing some charges in our car parks from April 2025, we are also expanding free parking to support the local economy and small businesses.
   
• From April, we are not only maintaining 30-minute free parking in Walton town centre car parks but also extending this benefit to 10 village car parks**. Car parks in Claygate Molesey, Long Ditton, Thames Ditton, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge and Oxshott will offer 30-minute free parking from Monday to Saturday (free on Sundays), encouraging residents to shop locally and bolster our local economy. 
   
• Additionally, we will continue offering discounted parking schemes for lower-income residents who work and live in Elmbridge, as well as for owners and employees of small businesses. These discounts can save residents up to £1,200 per year, demonstrating our commitment to supporting our community and local businesses.
   
• We are dedicated to supporting the housing-vulnerable members of our community - those at risk of homelessness, unstable housing, or losing their homes. To this end, we have allocated an additional £500,000 in our budget to provide the necessary support and resources.
   
• We are also committing financial support of £100,000 to ensuring the highest standards of food safety for our community and enhancing food safety measures in the borough. Despite the financial priorities we are managing, we remain committed to the wellbeing of our community.
   
• Following public consultation, the initial £716,430 refurbishment plan for Hurst Pool, approved in February 2024, has been increased to £1.28 million. This expanded budget will cover enhanced catering facilities and additional seating in the reception area. These improvements will complement the upgrades to the changing rooms and overall décor, as well as the additional energy funding aimed at boosting Hurst Pool’s operational efficiency and reducing its environmental impact. The refurbishment will provide the community with a modern, functional, and sustainable facility for the future and is due to start later this year.

Investing in green spaces and play areas

Elmbridge takes immense pride in our parks, green spaces, and commons, recognising the need for ongoing investment in 2024/2025 we undertook £200,000 worth of significant improvements at 14 play areas, refurbishing or replacing play equipment such as zip lines, swings, and trim trails. 

Our commitment continues this year with upcoming enhancements to the basketball courts at Hersham Recreation Ground and Long Ditton, the green gym at Long Ditton, and a complete play area refit at Summer Road Recreation Ground, Thames Ditton. Additionally, we are introducing a new sustainable water play facility at Churchfields Recreation Ground in Weybridge. Residents will also notice new signage around our green spaces. 

Our green spaces serve as havens, retreats, inspirations, and adventures for our community, and we are dedicated to investing in them to ensure they remain cherished by all.

Promoting community pride

When we spoke with our residents last year, 83% expressed satisfaction with their local area and felt a strong sense of belonging. However, 27% voiced concerns about litter on our streets. In response, we have launched an extensive bin replacement programme across the borough and invested £250,000 in improvements to our services.

Additionally, we are leveraging Elmbridge community spirit and the outstanding efforts of our local In Bloom groups, who enhance our towns and villages with vibrant floral displays. This year, we are increasing their funding to further beautify our borough and promote community pride.

Funding for vital community groups and voluntary sector partners

Community groups and the voluntary sector in Elmbridge are essential lifelines for our residents, offering critical support through foodbanks, community fridges, emotional and mental health services, and physical wellbeing initiatives. They deserve our unwavering support and financial assistance. 

With over £650,000 available, we have ensured that vital local community groups, such as The BRITE Box project, which provides weekly meal kits with prepared ingredients and dyslexia-friendly recipe cards to families at risk of food insecurity, and Stripey Stork, a baby bank supporting families with the practical items needed to raise children, can continue their invaluable work. 

Investing in a sustainable Elmbridge

Since 2019/20, we have secured and invested over £4.2 million in climate change projects in Elmbridge, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. Our initiatives, such as the Green Business Boost, Community Climate Action Fund, and the upcoming climate citizens’ panel, are pivotal in driving this agenda.

In 2025, we will further our efforts by expanding the electric vehicle charge points (EVC) programme across the borough, reinforcing our dedication to a greener, more sustainable future for Elmbridge.

Shaping a brighter future for residents

Building on the work we began in 2023/2024; we are committed to expanding support to more people in need within our community this year. While our current services assist 2% of the Elmbridge population, primarily older adults, we recognise that at least 9% of residents require additional help. 

By reimagining our services and resources, we believe we can extend our reach and support more community members. We are actively collaborating with community partners, current service clients, and volunteers, and will also host resident workshops in February. Later this year, we will present proposals aimed at expanding community support in a financially sustainable manner, ensuring our residents know we are here to support them.

Community engagement and collaboration 

While 54% of our residents surveyed last year feel the council keeps them well informed, matching the national average, we believe Elmbridge can do better. Our success hinges on the power of community collaboration.

Throughout 2024, we actively engaged with our residents to understand what they love about their area, what needs improvement, and the value they place on parks and green spaces. We listened to your concerns about development and planning applications and the importance of preserving our cherished community spaces, parks, recreation grounds, and commons.

In 2025, we will continue to build on this foundation of collaboration with the communities of Claygate, Hersham, Lower Green, and Walton, following the engagement work from last year. 

Last year, we introduced a council-wide engagement framework designed to increase our presence throughout the borough, from community festivals to schools and community halls. We are committed to meaningful engagement that fosters collaboration with our community to enhance and sustain the services that matter most in Elmbridge.

To kick off this initiative, we are hosting a series of events around the borough from the end of January through March. Details are available on our website, and we look forward to seeing you at these events. 

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation are progressing at pace, and we are dedicated to working with all Surrey districts and boroughs to achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents. We aim to enhance local government efficiency and continue providing value-for-money services. 

Our 2025/2026 budget allocates funding to support Elmbridge's contributions to Surrey's proposal. Despite the uncertainties in this process, we remain committed to acting in the best interests of our residents, ensuring continued investment in our borough, and demonstrating strong stewardship of Elmbridge through Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

Committed to the Elmbridge community

We are committed to providing cost of living financial support, driving economic investment, and leading climate change initiatives. Our strategic investments in green spaces, play areas, and civic pride projects underscore our dedication to our 2030 Vision for a thriving and sustainable Elmbridge. This budget reflects our unwavering resolve to enhance the quality of life for all residents and ensure a bright future for our community.

At the upcoming Leader and Deputy Leader events in your area, we look forward to discussing these themes with you and listening to your thoughts and views. 

Cllr Mike Rollings, Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council
Cllr Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council

Further information

• Information on the 2024 Elmbridge Residents Survey
• The February Cabinet agenda
• Watch the February Cabinet meeting through webcast

*Reserves help councils plan, manage cash flow, and maintain essential services.

**The 10 village car parks are

• Torrington Lodge car park, Claygate
• Hare Lane car park, Claygate
• Walton Road car park, East Molesey
• Southbank car park, Long Ditton
• Ashley Road car park, Thames Ditton
• New Berry Lane car park, Hersham
• Halfway car park, Walton-on-Thames
• Oatlands Village car park, Weybridge
• York Road car park, Weybridge
• Steels Lane car park, Oxshott