England · district councils · 2024-25

Three Rivers Council budget and spending

Three Rivers Council had net current service expenditure of £15.4m in 2024-25, about £161 for each of its 96,068 residents. By total budget it is 121st highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£15.4m
Spend per resident
£161
90th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
96,068
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
121st
of 164 district councils

This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.

Where Three Rivers Council spends its money

Three Rivers Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Environment£6.4m

    41.5% of the budget

  • Housing£3.2m

    20.6% of the budget

  • Planning£2.3m

    14.8% of the budget

  • Culture£1.7m

    10.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£1.5m

    9.9% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£398,000

    2.6% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Three Rivers

Across six benefits, £129.1m was paid out in Three Rivers in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,344 per resident. That is 275th highest of 315 areas per person and 292nd by total pounds, and 37.3% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Three Rivers by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£79.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£28.9m
  • Housing Benefit£10.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£8.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£3.9m
  • Carer's Allowance£3.9m

Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.

Councils with similar spend per resident

Three Rivers Council: common questions

How much does Three Rivers Council spend?

Three Rivers Council had net current service expenditure of £15.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Three Rivers Council spend per resident?

About £161 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £15.4m and an ONS population estimate of 96,068. That is 90th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Three Rivers Council spend most on?

Environment is the largest service line at £6.4m, 41.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Three Rivers?

£129.1m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £1,344 per resident. That ranks 275th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.