East Dunbartonshire Council has launched its latest Budget consultation ahead of its meeting in March next year to agree the 2026/2027 budget.
Every year the Council is legally obliged to set a balanced budget and in recent years this has become increasingly difficult.
One of the biggest challenges is the increase in both the cost of delivering Council services and the demand for these – whilst funding levels have not risen to meet these pressures.
All Local Authorities are having to deal with increasing costs, including prices for energy, fuel and materials, increasing National Insurance contributions and a real-time decrease in funding. Councils are legally required to set a balanced budget.
East Dunbartonshire Council’s budget gap for 2026/2027 remains significant but despite this, the Council must continue to deliver essential services for local communities.
To do this, the Council wants to hear what issues matter most to residents. The feedback will help to inform proposals and overall budget decisions.
In 2025/26, the Council will spend just over £379.127 million on delivering essential local services while also committing to significant investment across the area.
Almost 50% of the Council’s Revenue budget is spent on Education, with almost 20% on Health and Social Care. The remainder funds the delivery of operational services that include waste, roads, flood prevention and open space maintenance.
Councillors will make their decisions on the budget in March 2026, but right now the Council wants residents and businesses in the area to have their say to help guide these decisions.
The consultation will run until Sunday 23 November 2025 and the survey can be found on the 2026/27 Budget Consultation web page.
It should take around 10 minutes to complete. Paper copies can be requested via Customer Services – call 0300 123 4510 or email customerservices@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Council Leader Gordan Low is encouraging residents to give their views on what they believe matters most.
Councillor Low said, “We understand the financial pressures many of our residents are facing and the concern about public services. Whilst the public sector is under enormous pressure, we continue to deliver essential services and investment throughout East Dunbartonshire – all while setting a balanced budget.
“But doing this is not easy, and once again we need to look at ways of increasing our income and how to make savings.
The responses from local residents and businesses will help to inform proposals and subsequent decisions, and we encourage as many people as possible to complete our survey.
After the consultation closes on Sunday 23 November, the results will be analysed and shared with both Officers and Elected Members in December.
