Buckinghamshire Council is at a key stage in planning next year’s budget and is inviting residents, businesses and local organisations to help shape these financial plans in a consultation that opens today.

Every day, Buckinghamshire Council delivers services that support people and communities across the county. From caring for vulnerable adults and children to maintaining roads, collecting waste and recycling, supporting town centres and helping people into work, these services play an important role in everyday life in Buckinghamshire.

These are also the services that support the council’s vision to improve everyday life for all residents, as set out earlier this summer in the council’s plan for the next five years. This plan outlines how residents will be able to access better opportunities, be part of thriving communities, be supported when they need help, live in and visit great places and feel their local services offer value for money.

The council is now planning the budget for the next financial year that will pay for the services that will deliver this vision and the council’s commitment to Buckinghamshire residents.

Buckinghamshire Council's annual Your Bucks, Your Say consultation has launched today (Monday 7 September), giving our residents, businesses and community groups the opportunity to take part in developing the 2027/28 budget priorities.

Like councils across the country, Buckinghamshire Council is facing increasing pressure on its finances. Around three quarters of the council's budget is spent on four essential services: adult social care, children's services, home-to-school transport and temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

Changes to the way local government is funded also mean that a growing proportion of money raised locally in Buckinghamshire is being redistributed elsewhere, creating additional financial challenges for the council.

Despite these pressures, Buckinghamshire Council remains in a robust financial position with value for money one of its most important pillars. The council is continuing to plan ahead, finding smarter and more efficient ways of working, making good use of technology, reducing waste and making big savings while protecting the services residents depend on most, with the current budget plans maintaining weekly bin collections, investing in roads and town centres and programmes to support people into work particularly younger residents.

Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said:

"The decisions we make about how public money is spent affect the services that people rely on every day, which is why it's so important that we hear directly from residents, businesses and community organisations before any final decisions are made.

"Buckinghamshire is in a robust financial position, but like councils across the country we continue to face rising costs and increasing demand for many essential services. We must make sure every pound is spent wisely and focused on the areas that make the biggest difference to people's lives.

"We've worked hard to protect frontline services, invest in our communities and find new and more efficient ways of working. At the same time, we want to make sure our plans reflect the priorities of the people we serve.

"Whether you're a resident, run a business or are part of a local organisation, I'd encourage you to take a few minutes to complete this consultation. Your feedback will help shape our spending priorities and ensure we continue to focus on the services that matter most across Buckinghamshire."

The Your Bucks, Your Say consultation runs from Monday 7 September until Sunday 18 October 2026.

Residents, businesses and organisations can take part online at buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-bucks-your-say. Paper copies are also available from libraries and Council Access Points across Buckinghamshire.

Notes to Editor

• Buckinghamshire Council agreed a balanced budget for 2026/27 at its Full Council meeting on 25 February 2026.
• The council's approved medium-term financial plans include savings and income generation totalling £83.7 million across 2026/27 and 2027/28.
• Your Bucks, Your Say is Buckinghamshire Council's annual budget consultation and helps inform budget-setting for the following financial year.