Council approves 4.99% increase in tax

At their meeting tonight (26 February), elected Members of Telford & Wrekin Council approved the local authority’s budget proposals for 2026/27. 70p in every £1 spent will be used to support the most vulnerable people in the Borough.

As well as providing £150 million funding for social care, the Budget also supports a range of capital investments:

• Over £88 million to deliver more high quality Nuplace and Telford & Wrekin Homes, including the Council’s first ever Homes for Veterans scheme.
• Over £59 million to support Growth Fund initiatives, including securing the future of the Priorslee Campus.
• Over £103 million for transport and highways.
• Over £41 million for education including school expansions and additional SEND places.
• Over £5.5 million for a range of housing initiatives.
• £16.3 million for leisure and cultural schemes including a new swimming pool and improvements to the Telford Town Park amphitheatre.
• Over £56 million local regeneration fund including Oakengates, Wellington, Station Quarter and Telford Theatre.
• Over £22 million Pride in Place programme to build stronger communities and drive regeneration in Woodside, Sutton Hill and Brookside.

Alongside these investments, the Budget will also support other recently announced initiatives including:

• £250,000 support for the Lingen Davies Sunflower Appeal, to raise funds to build Telford’s first dedicated cancer treatment centre.
• £200,000 to increase the number of grit bins to 1,000 to keep the Borough’s roads moving safely, plus sensors to alert when bins need refilling.
• Support for the Royal British Legion’s Credit their Service campaign, ensuring no armed forces veterans are disadvantaged by military compensation when means-tested for benefits.
• 10 Homes for Local Veterans
• 100 additional SEND places across Telford & Wrekin.
• Developing plans to introduce a £2 single fare cap on all bus journeys within Telford and Wrekin, matching the current £2 fares for council-operated bus services.

To support this, Councillors approved an average £1.20 per week Council Tax Rise and will see Telford and Wrekin residents continue to pay the lowest Council Tax in the Midlands, and one of the lowest in the country. In addition, the Council will continue to provide free green waste collections and free car parking on most Council-owned car parks.

Councillor Zona Hannington, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services, said: “This is a budget driven by values, not just numbers. By directing 70 pence of every pound we spend towards supporting our most vulnerable residents, we are making a clear statement about what matters most in our borough. This budget safeguards essential services that people rely on today, while investing boldly in the homes, communities and opportunities that will secure a stronger, fairer future for generations to come.”

Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, added: “This Budget is about protecting the people who rely on us most while continuing to build a better Borough for everyone. We are investing 70 pence of every pound directly into supporting our most vulnerable residents because that is our responsibility, and our priority.

“With an increase of 4.99%, including the 2% ASC precept, the average Band B home in the Borough will pay £1.20 per week more, but will continue to pay the lowest council tax in the Midlands, and one of the lowest anywhere in the country. 

“Despite rising demand and national pressures, we have delivered a Budget that safeguards essential services and backs the homes, communities and infrastructure that will shape our future. This is a Budget that protects today and invests in tomorrow.”