NEWSROOM

At their meeting today (Thursday 12 February) the Council’s Cabinet reviewed the final Budget proposals and feedback following the consultation period and approved the plans which will now be submitted for Full Council approval at their next meeting, on Thursday 26 February.

Subject to that final approval, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Budget for 2026-27 will commit £150 million to looking after people most in need, equivalent to 70p in every £1 the Council spends used to support vulnerable children, people with disabilities and older adults living in the Borough.

With the costs of social care forecast to grow by a further £18.5 million over the next twelve months, the Budget proposes to increase Council Tax by £1.20 per week for the average Borough household (Band B) with every penny from the increase used to pay for social care.

In addition to providing £150 million for social care, Budget proposals will also see £437 million in capital investment in homes and jobs, education, transport and leisure, to continue the Council’s commitment to protect, care and invest to build a better borough.

Councillor Lee Carter, the Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said:

“Looking after those who need it most is Telford & Wrekin Council’s biggest priority but, with the increasing cost of care, and the growing demand for it, it’s also our biggest expense. 

“This Budget for 2026/27 will see the Council dedicate £150 million to looking after those who need it most, an increase of £18.5 million since last year. That means 70p in every £1 we spend will go towards supporting vulnerable children, people with disabilities and older adults: that’s our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents.

“To help fund that increase, all of the £4.7 million from the proposed increase in Council Tax, along with an additional £6 million of Government funding for 2026/27, will be spent on social care. Even with this small proposed increase, if you live in Telford and Wrekin, you’ll still be paying the lowest Council Tax in the Midlands, and on average £300 less than if you lived anywhere else.”

Councillor Zona Hannington, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Customer Services, added:

“Strong financial management over many years means that we are also still able to propose £437 million in capital investment too, in priorities that residents have told us matter most. That’s better homes and roads, expanding schools, providing better buses and supporting our High Streets.

“As we’ve recently announced, the proposed Budget will deliver wider benefits for local communities too, by investing in initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, resilience and opportunity across the borough. This includes £1.7 million to create new SEND hubs around the Borough, providing up to 100 new specialist school places for children with special educational needs,  launching the Homes for Veterans scheme, which will provide an initial ten properties prioritised for former service personnel, and setting aside funding to help safeguard the future of the Priorslee Campus, as part of a major £59 million growth package.

“This Budget also commits our support for the Royal British Legion’s Credit Their Service campaign to ensure veterans are not disadvantaged when means-tested and commits £250,000 in match-funding for the Lingen Davies Sunflower Appeal to build Telford and Wrekin’s first dedicated cancer care centre. Alongside this, extra funding for more grit bins than ever before will boost winter resilience in neighbourhoods across our Borough.”

Following today’s Cabinet meeting, the Budget recommendations will be presented to the Full Council for final approval, at the next meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026.