Residents across South Cambridgeshire are being invited to help decide what matters most to them as the District Council plans its priorities and spending for the year ahead.
A new survey gives people the opportunity to share their views on issues affecting communities - and actions they believe would make the biggest difference across the district.
Feedback will help shape the Council's budget and priorities for 2027/28, including investment in areas such as community wellbeing, affordable housing, climate action, support for local businesses and protecting the natural environment.
The Council wants to hear from as many residents, businesses and community groups as possible before decisions are made. The survey covers a wide range of topics, including:
- supporting healthy, safe and thriving communities
- delivering sustainable homes and vibrant places
- protecting nature and tackling climate change
- helping local businesses to start, grow and succeed
- making the best use of public money.
Participants can also suggest their own ideas and recommend practical actions. Whether it is protecting local green spaces, improving access to affordable housing, supporting local businesses, helping vulnerable residents or ensuring public services remain sustainable for the future, the Council wants to hear what people think.
The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: “The people who live and work in South Cambridgeshire know their communities best, so it's important their voices help shape the decisions we make. We're facing difficult challenges, including growing demand for services and continued pressure on public finances. We also have uncertainty around national plans for local government reorganisation. That makes it even more important that we understand what matters most to residents and businesses, so we can focus our efforts where they'll have the greatest impact.
"Whether it's protecting green spaces, supporting local businesses, improving wellbeing, tackling climate change or helping provide homes people can afford to live in, we want to hear your views before decisions are made about the year ahead."
The survey, which opened at 9am today (Wednesday 28 October), runs until 11:59pm on Tuesday 8 December 2026.
To take part, visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council website. If you would prefer to complete a paper survey – email engage@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713 000 to request one.
After the survey has closed – the Council will review responses and use these to help inform the development of its final Corporate Action Plan for 2027/28. This will be considered – alongside the budget for the year ahead – at a Full Council meeting in February 2027.
Some recent highlights of the Council’s work include:
- Delivering 135 new Council Homes in 2025/26, with a further 60 delivered in the first six months of 2026/27.
- Meeting its target to reduce emissions from Council operations by 45%, with plans to further reduce emissions in 2026/27 and beyond well underway.
- Removing 436 fly-tips on public land during 2026/27 to date, with 98% cleared within a 10-day target, and issuing 21 Fixed Penalty Notices for environmental offences.
- Helping residents complete more than 1,200 claims for support with cost-of-living pressures, with the Low Income Family Tracker programme generating almost £1,000,000 of additional income for residents to date. This is alongside the approval of a £180,000 Crisis and Resilience Fund support package.
- Securing £230,000 to deliver a new Green Business Programme between 2026 and 2028. This is alongside ongoing support during the last year for more than 50 local businesses through the Council’s South Cambs Connect coworking space - and practical guidance, networking and tailored support for around 200 businesses through in person and online events.