Cambridgeshire County Council’s draft business plan and budget proposals for 2026/27 have received unanimous support from the Environment and Green Investment Committee, reflecting a continued commitment to environmental services and sustainability initiatives. The committee’s recommendations will now be considered by the Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee on 29 January ahead of Full Council debate on 10 February.
The Environment and Green Investment Committee plays a key role in overseeing the council’s environmental responsibilities, including waste management, flood protection and renewable energy schemes. Members emphasised that the proposals align with the council’s ambition to create a green and sustainable Cambridgeshire.
Key elements of the draft business plan include:
£4.28 million of capital investment for upgraded Household Recycling Centres, with new facilities planned for March and Milton during 2026/27.
£53.9 million of continued investment across services such as waste disposal, flood risk management, biodiversity and nature conservation, renewable energy management, economic growth initiatives, and projects supporting carbon reduction goals.
The proposals follow initial discussions by the Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee in December and have now undergone scrutiny by the Environment and Green Investment Committee. Feedback from other policy and service committees, residents’ consultations, town and parish councils, local authorities, business representatives and trade unions will be debated again at the end of January, before a final business plan and budget are put forward to Full Council.
The council’s overall 2026/27 business plan will outline the allocation of £1.2 billion to deliver public services across Cambridgeshire. Rising demand, particularly in children’s and adults’ social care, is placing pressure on the budget, with nearly two-thirds of expenditure already dedicated to social care. Other significant areas of spending include Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), home-to-school transport, and highways maintenance.
For the coming financial year, the council faces a remaining budget gap of £6.4 million, requiring careful consideration of income generation, investment priorities, and potential savings. Councillor Ros Hathorn, Chair of the Environment and Green Investment Committee, said:
“We are making sure the council stays financially sustainable by taking a prudent, long-term approach to business and budget planning that is informed by our residents’ priorities, so we can keep investing in and prioritising core services.
“The increasing financial challenges also mean we need to get the most out of every pound we spend whilst delivering services across the county. However, it’s still really important that we continue our journey to a green and sustainable Cambridgeshire. By prioritising investment in services and infrastructure such as our household recycling centres and carbon reduction projects we are responding to residents’ concerns and taking further steps to mitigate against the impacts of climate change on our county.
“Government has recognised it needs to respond to the SEND crisis nationally but has yet to share what that will mean for councils, schools or parents and carers. The lack of Government funding for these vital public services means that for 2026/27 the council will face a further £22 million in financial challenges than were identified in February 2025. That means further and even more difficult decisions about how to allocate resources and balance its budget will be required.
“We are committed to ensuring the council delivers value for money in the services it provides. That is why this committee supports the proposals today.”
The views of all policy and service committees, along with feedback from residents, local partners, business representatives, and the outcome of the Local Government Finance Settlement, will be considered by the Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee on 29 January. A final recommendation will then be made to Full Council, which will debate and approve the business plan and budget on 10 February 2026.
