Sutton Council unveils ambitious budget to benefit all ages

Sutton Council’s proposed budget for 2022/23 protects vital services while bringing new jobs, homes and improvements to the borough.

Over the next year, Sutton Council plans to invest £155 million in the services that residents tell us matter the most to them. With demands on care services at record levels after the pandemic, the Council will continue to support the most vulnerable with £112 million of investment for adult social care, children’s and family services.

The Council will also continue to invest in the long-term future of the borough, by building more council homes and regenerating Sutton’s high street into a leisure, retail and cultural hub. Pioneering projects like The London Cancer Hub in Belmont will bring more new jobs to the local area.

The Council has delivered £102 million in annual savings since 2010/11 and has identified a further £5.5 million in its plans for 2022/23.

While the Council provides over 800 services, more than half of its budget supports older people, vulnerable children, people with learning difficulties and those with physical disabilities.

To continue to protect vital services while strengthening the local economy, the Council is proposing to increase council tax by a below inflation 1.99% and to use the adult social care charge of 1% as proposed by central government to ensure that services to the most vulnerable are maintained.

This means the average Sutton household (Band D) will pay an extra 57p a week in core council tax and an extra 29p a week for adult social care. This increase – which amounts to 86p per week for the average household – will benefit residents of all ages: it will protect vulnerable people, help improve our town centres, maintain our green spaces and help keep vital cultural services like libraries open for all.

Leader of Sutton Council, Councillor Ruth Dombey said:

“Your council tax plays a vital role in our borough. It enables us to support our most vulnerable adults and children, while creating jobs, building affordable homes, maintaining our award-winning parks, making our borough more age-friendly and tackling the climate emergency.

“After more than a decade of reduced government funding, and with more people than ever before needing our help, we have been forced to take the tough decision to increase council tax by 1.99% this year. This means that we will be able to continue to provide vital services to those who need it most.

“We understand that this increase comes at a difficult time for many people and the Council is here to support those who need it. You can find support by heading to sutton.gov.uk/budget.

“Thank you for paying your council tax which helps Sutton remain a great place to live, work and raise a family.”