A consultation on Rutland County Council's budget for 2026/27 found that a large number of respondents did not want the authority to prioritise action on tackling climate change.

A meeting of the council's Cabinet this week (February 10) addressed the consultation – ahead of a vote on the budget later this month.

A total of 206 people responded to the survey on the budget. When asked if they thought the council was managing its finances well, the vote was split evenly between 'yes', 'no', and 'don't know'.

Around half of respondents said they understood the financial pressures that are affecting the local authority.

When asked to rate the importance of investment in different areas, respondents put local health services and roads and highways at the top of their list.

They also rated the local economy and improvements to Oakham and Uppingham town centres highly.

People were also asked their thoughts on the council's four corporate priorities:

• tackling climate emergency 
• sustainable economy 
• good public services 
• supporting the most vulnerable 

In response to this question, many spoke up against environmental spending.

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But Cllr Christine Wise (Lib Dem) told the meeting that many of the measures put in place by the council would be "done regardless".

She cited flood defence work, electric car charging points and improving rural bus services as examples of projects which the majority of residents would want to see.

If approved, the budget will see council tax in Rutland rise by 3.9 per cent. Bosses had been preparing to freeze the levy – until a change in the funding settlement from central government just before Christmas.

Cllr Paul Browne (Lib Dem) said: "Up until December 19 we had budgeted to freeze council tax.

"It was only due to the surprise communications from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government that we had to change tack.

"It's a great shame that the new minister decided to re-allocate funds to urban areas, in particular when they are London areas. I do think it is demonstrably unfair."

Other respondents to the consultation questioned the council's spending on social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Council leader Cllr Gale Waller (Lib Dem) said: "While it is true that we want to support the most vulnerable in the community, it is also true that we are required by law to support them. That is their statutory right. 

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"That's why I get very annoyed by our settlement from central government.

"Our council tax payers are paying an awful lot more – if not the most – towards social care than in other parts of the UK."

The Cabinet voted to approve the recommendations in the council's draft budget. There will be a further meeting of the Cabinet next week before the budget faces a final debate and vote at a meeting of the Full Council on February 26.