“Real reason to be optimistic” as Budget agreed by Cabinet
A “tireless commitment” to create jobs, attract business, provide good education and protect green spaces is the promise from Telford & Wrekin Council bosses as they progress their budget proposals.
Huge investment will go into creating jobs, skills, new homes, improving transport and greenspaces, boosting borough town centres and supporting local businesses in the budget which was agreed at a meeting of the Cabinet today.
The budget for 2025/26 also features significant investment into social care to support the most vulnerable people in the borough.
The Council received its final settlement from Government earlier this month and bosses have welcomed the settlement and the commitment from Westminster for multi-year settlements from 2026/27 to make it easier for councils to financially plan for the future.
Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of the Council, said:
“We are pleased to put forward a balanced and positive budget which invests in what people care about most. We will demonstrate a tireless commitment to create jobs and homes, improve transport, town centres and greenspaces and look after our most vulnerable in our society by investing in social care.
“At Telford & Wrekin Council we have a proud record of sound financial management and this track record has put us in a much stronger position than many. This positive local management together with the best financial settlement from Government than we have seen for well over a decade, we have real reason to be optimistic.
“The Government is also now committed to multi-year settlements and we look forward to hearing more about this in the coming months ahead of future budget setting processes where we will be able to plan for the borough’s future with confidence over a number of years."
As well as benefitting from the budget investment, residents across Telford and Wrekin will continue to pay the lowest council tax rates in the Midlands and some of the lowest in the country.
Every penny of money raised through a general Council Tax increase of 69p a week for the average borough household will go into supporting the most vulnerable people in the borough. This commitment to help fill the well-publicised national funding shortfalls in social care will be supplemented by an increase in the Government adult social care precept equating to 46p a week, which will also be fully invested into adult social care.
Meanwhile, the delivery of savings, which includes bringing in additional income, will ensure the Council’s financial position remains robust and sustainable without needing to draw on reserves nor impact residents by reducing front-line services or introducing new charges for services.
Councillor Zona Hannington, Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, said:
“These are difficult times for local government and the struggles of many other local councils are well reported. However, this budget continues many years of strong financial management here in Telford and Wrekin and we are very proud to be maintaining and investing in services for our residents.
“The budget sets out a responsible approach to how this investment is made and our savings and continued commercial approach will all help to ensure a really positive but balanced budget as we continue to protect, care and invest in our residents.”
Following today’s Cabinet meeting, the budget report’s recommendations will go to a meeting of the Full Council on 27 February for final approval.
People can read the full proposals at www.telford.gov.uk/Budget