Your council
Cabinet considers budget for 2026/27 to 2029/30
Published on
Walsall Council’s budget for 2026/27 was considered and approved by Cabinet on Wednesday 11 February 2026 and will now proceed to Full Council on Thursday 26 February 2026.
“ Walsall Council continues to demonstrate strong and robust financial management, and our financial standing continues to compare favourably with similar local authorities both regionally and nationally.
“The proposed budget has been developed to directly support delivery of our Council Plan priorities. We are focusing available resources toward the outcomes that matter most to residents, protecting essential services, and investing where this will have the greatest impact and provide the best value for local taxpayers.
“Demand for many of our services continues to rise - particularly within adult social care and children’s services - which places significant and ongoing pressure on our finances. This budget sets out a balanced and sustainable approach that addresses immediate challenges while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to future uncertainties despite the move to a multi-year settlement from 2026/27. “
This is a balanced budget for 2026/27, subject to the outcome of the final local government settlement. It includes proposals for spending, efficiencies and council tax.
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 draft 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.
A Parliamentary debate on the final local government finance settlement for 2026/27 parliamentary debate took place on Wednesday 11 February 2026. Any changes arising from this will be included within the final papers to Council on 26 February 2026.
