Residents in Walsall are facing the maximum permissible council tax increase as the local authority prepares its budget for the 2026/27 financial year. Leaders at Walsall Council are set to approve a 4.99 per cent rise next week, which will see households in Band D properties charged £2,627.48 annually – equating to £7.20 per day.
Budget Balancing Through Savings and Cuts
Alongside the tax increase, cabinet members will also approve £32.83 million worth of savings measures designed to balance the books for the coming year. This substantial figure represents a significant programme of cuts and efficiency reviews across multiple council services.
Specific Service Reductions
The proposed savings include several notable service adjustments:
- A review of the home to school transport programme, expected to save £102,000
- Reducing cleaning within council buildings by 25 per cent, saving £141,154
- Cutting opening hours at Walsall New Art Gallery by three hours weekly, saving £22,000
- A 20 per cent increase in parking charges, generating £20,000 in additional revenue
- A review of the council's cultural offer, projected to save £100,000
- An examination of leisure and health initiatives, including the four Active Living Centres in Bloxwich, Darlaston, Walsall Wood and Gala, with estimated savings of £267,501
Financial Context and Comparisons
Currently, households in Band D properties pay £2,498.27 per year. The proposed increase would add £129.21 to their annual bills. This comes as Walsall residents already pay the highest council tax rates across all four Black Country local authorities.
Despite the challenging financial landscape, the state of Walsall's finances has been recognised as comparing favourably to similar local authorities. This assessment comes even as the council faces a predicted £50.37 million budget gap for 2027/28 and beyond – a shortfall that would persist even with annual 4.99 per cent council tax increases.
Social Care Spending Priority
Nearly one third of the council's entire £864 million budget for 2026/27 will be allocated to adult social care and children's services. Significantly, two per cent of the proposed council tax increase will be ringfenced specifically for adult social care costs, highlighting the growing pressure on these essential services.
Decision Timeline
Cabinet members are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 11, to approve the budget proposals. Following this, the budget will be subject to a vote at full council on Thursday, February 26, 2026, where councillors will make the final decision on both the tax increase and accompanying savings measures.
