Council passes budget to protect vulnerable residents and invest in key services
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has passed a budget for 2026/27 that supports vulnerable residents and invests in people’s priorities.
The move comes after the government published its final settlement to local councils on February 9. That included an extra £13.3 million over three years for Stoke-on-Trent City Council following lobbying by the council and local MPs.
The Medium Term Financial Strategy and council tax proposals were passed at a meeting of the full council this week (Thursday, February 26).
Investing in Residents' Priorities
The package of measures includes:
- £5 million for pothole and road surface repairs, boosting the spring repair programme.
- £1.25 million to upgrade and improve playgrounds.
- £300,000 for accelerated gully cleaning to strengthen flood prevention work.
It also includes significant investment in Children’s Social Care, Adults Social Care, homelessness services, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, reflecting rising demand and the need to safeguard essential provision.
The council is also set to continue to invest through its capital programme to preserve local heritage and improve the city’s infrastructure, supporting long-term regeneration and resilience.
Consultation and Council Tax
A draft version of the budget went out for full public consultation. A number of changes were made in the final version, including the decision to retain the Dimensions café, with an amended operating model.
The budget includes a council tax rise of 4.99 per cent. Data published by the Press Association this week showed 119 out of 153 top-tier councils in England and Wales were proposing similar rises. Stoke-on-Trent currently has one of the five lowest council tax rates in the country, and by far the lowest in Staffordshire.
“Our priority is to support the most vulnerable, protect frontline services and invest in the things that matter to our residents. This budget takes a responsible and balanced approach that puts residents first while seeking to ensure we remain financially sustainable.”
— Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council
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