North Herts Council has agreed its budget proposals for recommendation to Full Council this Thursday – with investment earmarked for Hitchin town centre parking, community grants and leisure facilities across the district.

The plans, aligned with the authority's Council Plan priorities of Thriving Communities, Accessible Services, Responsible Growth and Sustainability, include capital spending on projects in Hitchin, Royston and Letchworth.

One of the headline items for Hitchin residents is a £200,000 capital investment in new digital and other signage for town centre car parks.

The council says the new system will provide residents and visitors with up-to-date information about available parking spaces, helping improve traffic flow and make it easier to shop and visit the town.

The move comes alongside ongoing work linked to the Churchgate development.

Elsewhere in North Herts, councillors agreed:

• £4.7 million capital investment in a new Learner Pool at Royston Leisure Centre. The council says this will deliver significant social benefit following the closure of nearby pools in neighbouring areas.

• £200,000 capital investment in additional water play facilities at North Herts Leisure Centre, aimed at making the venue more attractive for families across the district.

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Extra funding for community organisations

The budget also includes:

• £30,000 in additional grants for the Council's Community Forums to distribute to local organisations. This follows last year's 50% reduction in Member Locality Budget grants agreed by Hertfordshire County Council.

• More than £50,000 in extra support for key local partners, including North Herts Citizens Advice, North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Services, and North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum.

Council tax rise of 2.99%

North Herts Council has proposed a 2.99% increase in council tax, which it says equates to around £7.50 per year for the average household.

The authority highlighted that this is lower than the £15 annual increase agreed by the Police and Crime Commissioner, and significantly less than the £88 increase approved by Hertfordshire County Council.

Councillors said careful financial planning has left the authority with healthy reserves, enabling it to both manage expected Local Government Reorganisation changes and invest in services while balancing the books.

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