North Norfolk District Council approves balanced budget and £10.6m Investment Programme for 2026/27

Date published: 18th February 2026

NNDC Councillors have tonight (Wednesday, February 18) voted to approve the proposed 2026/27 budget, protecting key services while committing over £10.6m in capital investment across the district.

The Council has once again succeeded in delivering a balanced budget for the forthcoming financial year, due to decisions on spending and investment which have safeguarded services which residents and council taxpayers value.

This year’s Local Government Financial Settlement has seen central government funding for Shire Districts under renewed pressure, with North Norfolk residents seeing a projected decrease of 23% in government funding by 2028/29.

A Council Tax increase of £5.13 per year for a Band D Property - less than 10p per week - has been agreed by Full Council. Whilst the District Council is responsible for collecting council tax, it retains only 7.3% of the revenue, with Town and Parish Councils receiving 3.8%, the Police and Crime Commissioner 14% and Norfolk County Council 74.9%.

The Council has committed to funding a series of important investments in NNDC assets and infrastructure, including temporary accommodation for North Norfolk residents facing homelessness; Newgate Lane public conveniences in Wells; Cornish Way Industrial Units in North Walsham and Cromer Pier in its 125th anniversary year.

Cllr Lucy Shires, Portfolio holder for Finance, Estates and Property Services, said:

“I’d like to thank all NNDC Officers for their hard work in ensuring we can once again deliver a balanced budget, in the face of intense pressure on Local Authority finances. This Council’s priority is financial stability, protecting essential services and ensuring North Norfolk remains resilient in the face of national funding pressures.

“In this forthcoming financial year, we will be able to continue funding statutory services as well as discretionary ones because of the tough decisions taken by this Council.

“Every decision in this budget has been guided by simple principles – put residents first, protect what matters, and plan responsibly for the future. Good services and reliable investment are what the people of North Norfolk expect and deserve from us.”