Finance
Walsall Council agrees balanced budget for 2026/27
Published on
Walsall Council’s budget for the 2026/27 financial year was considered and approved at a full Council meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026.
A balanced budget for 2026/27 was presented, which included proposals for spending, efficiencies and council tax.
“ The stability of the council’s finances is fundamental to serving the community and Walsall Council continues to demonstrate strong and robust financial management.
“Despite ongoing financial pressure and rising costs, we continue to deliver excellent value for money for residents and businesses, with our financial position comparing favourably with similar local authorities both regionally and nationally.
“Setting a balanced budget for 2026/27 is an important step in ensuring the council’s finances remain resilient in the years ahead. This budget supports delivery of our Council Plan priorities and will help us deliver our ambitions for the borough.
“We are focusing resources on the outcomes that matter most to residents, protecting essential services, and investing it will have the greatest impact and deliver the best value for local taxpayers. “
To read the papers for the Council meeting, please visit the Council website.
The council is proposing a 2.99% general council tax increase and a further 2% precept for adult social care (a total council tax increase of 4.99%). It means that in 2026/27, this increase equates to a council tax increase of £2.09 per week for a Band D property.
The budget includes investments of:
- £25.83 million in 2026/27 and £85.33m over four years to 2029/30 in adult social care to protect elderly citizens and vulnerable adults to fund additional demand and manage the cost of placements whilst continuing to make progress on the council’s demand management initiatives.
- £25.04 million in 2026/27 and £65.82m over four years to 2029/30 in Children’s Services including £7.92 million in home to school transport and £57.05 million to support children in care.
Outlined in the budget is the capital programme and significant capital investment of around £237 million is planned for the borough through to 2029/30. This investment is aligned with the priorities and ambitions set out in Pursuing Excellence: Our Council Plan 2025–2029.
The budget also sets out savings and efficiencies. In 2026/27, the council expects to deliver £32.83 million of budget reductions, increasing to £71.28 million by 2029. These will be delivered through better procurement, improvements in efficiencies, increased income and delivering reductions in demand. The identification of further savings will be necessary to balance the budget beyond 2026/27.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Corporate Budget Plan 2026/27 to 2029/30, incorporating the Capital and Investment Strategy; and the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2026/27 is now available to view on the Council’s Committee Management and Information System (CMIS).
To view a recording of the Council meeting online, please visit Walsall Council Webcasts.
Pursuing Excellence: Our Council Plan 2025-29 sets out the council’s vision and priorities for the next four years, where its resources will be prioritised, and how it will deliver against the long-term We Are Walsall 2040 vision for the borough. To view the new council plan, visit the Council's dedicated webpage.
