Brentwood Borough Council Priorities and Budget Consultation 2027/2028
Why we're consulting and funding pressures:
Every year Brentwood Borough Council must agree a budget that balances the money we spend on services with the money we have available to us. The council gets all its income from council tax, business rates, money it can raise itself and specific grants it can bid for.
All the time demand for services is increasing. In the current year (2026/27), this is how the Council’s services are funded.
How Brentwood Borough Council services are funded | Value |
Council Tax | £7,740,230 |
Retained Business Rates | £1,079,090 |
Other Grants | £3,091,000 |
TOTAL (may not add due to rounding) | £11,910,320 |
Brentwood Council is facing financial pressures across many of its services. This is due to continued uncertainty over government funding and the cost of living crisis. The Council will support the Borough through these challenging times. It will continue to deliver its plans for change and use your views to help us balance our budget.
How Council Tax is split:
On average, each Band D household will pay £2,233.28 in Council Tax in 2026/2027. Only £223.49 of this amount is paid to Brentwood Borough Council to help fund the services it provides to local people and businesses.
Average Band D Council Tax Breakdown of Charges (2026/27) | Amount |
Essex County Council (including Social Care Levy) | £1,641.96 |
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner | £275.31 |
Brentwood Borough Council | £223.49 |
Essex Fire Authority | £92.52 |
The council would like your views on how it spends its money, how it might raise more money and the level at which it should set the council tax next year.
The survey also asks for your views on the Council's strategic priorities, the services it provides, and whether spending on specific services should increase, decrease or remain the same.
The information from this survey will be used by councillors as they set the budget and council tax for 2027/28. It will also help inform future service planning and delivery of the Council's Corporate Plan priorities.
Which services does Brentwood Borough Council provide?
Brentwood Borough Council and Essex County Council are responsible for different local services. The tables below show which services are provided by each council. Please bear this in mind when completing the survey.
Please note that highways and roads are the responsibility of Essex County Council. If you would like to report a highways issue or share feedback about roads, pavements, streetlights, drainage or other highway-related matters, please visit Essex Highways' "Tell Us" page .
| SERVICES PROVIDED BY BRENTWOOD BOROUGH COUNCIL | SERVICES PROVIDED BY ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Waste and recycling collection | Education |
| Street cleansing | Children's social care |
| Parks and open spaces | Adult social care |
| Homelessness prevention and housing advice | Highways and roads |
| Community safety and enforcement | Libraries |
| Leisure and sports facilities | Public health |
| Community development and community engagement | Trading standards |
| Planning policy | |
| Planning enforcement | |
| Development management (planning applications) | |
| Building control | |
| Economic development | |
| Environmental health | |
| Licensing | |
| Council tax and benefits administration | |
| Electoral services | |
| Democratic and civic services |
Have Your Say:
The consultation is open from 28 July until 8 September.
Need assistance?
- Call our Customer Services team for support at 01277 312500.
- Request a paper survey at Brentwood Town Hall, Council Offices, Ingrave Rd, Brentwood CM15 8AY, or email cgr@brentwood.gov.uk to be sent one in the post.
- Scan the QR code on posters on council noticeboards to complete the survey on your mobile device.