The draft budget sets out how the council plans to balance the need for financial sustainability, continued government support, and investment in essential services, while responding to rising demand and ongoing national funding pressures.
This year’s budget reflects the significant progress the Royal Borough has made since 2023 in strengthening financial governance and transforming services. The council is currently on track to deliver £6m in savings in 2025/26.
However, the council continues to face challenges including increasing demand for adult and children’s social care, housing pressures and very low council tax income compared with other local authorities.
In addition, changes to the way government funds local councils is expected to leave the Royal Borough among the biggest funding losers, reinforcing the need for continued government support to protect frontline services and community assets. As a result, the Royal Borough currently faces an annual £51m budget gap for 2026/27.
Against this challenging backdrop, the draft budget proposes £14m of targeted investment to support residents most in need and maintain key local services. Proposed investment areas include:
- Adult social care, helping residents to live independently and safely in their own homes.
- Children’s services, responding to rising demand and the cost of care placements.
- Housing and temporary accommodation, addressing increased demand and improving service delivery.
- Maintenance of council assets, including parks, car parks and council-owned buildings.
These proposals aim to strike a balance between making responsible savings and investing in services and places that support residents and the wider local area. The consultation gives people the opportunity to comment on these priorities and help shape how limited resources are used.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Lynne Jones, added: “We have taken difficult but necessary steps to stabilise the council’s finances, while continuing to protect vital services for residents.
“The draft budget sets out how we intend to build on that work, but it is important that residents and businesses understand the choices we face and help shape our priorities for the year ahead – by giving their views on our plans.”
The public consultation on the draft budget will run until midnight on Sunday 1 February 2026. Residents will be able to take part online via the council’s consultation platform, RBWM Together.
All feedback received will be carefully considered and reported to Cabinet in February 2026, ahead of the final budget being put to Council for agreement in March.