Winchester City Council approves balanced budget for 2026/27
Winchester City Council has approved a balanced budget for the upcoming year.
The budget, which was approved at last night’s (26 February) Council meeting, outlines continued investment in services and priorities outlined in the Council Plan 2025-30 including Healthy Communities, Efficient and Effective, and Greener Faster.
It also allows for an increase in the pressures from rises in utility costs, and lays out plans for investments which will make it easier and faster for residents to contact the council by improving digital and online services, freeing up traditional contact for those who need it.
A total of £1.7m has also been set aside for essential structural repairs to the listed civic Guildhall building (an additional £3.3 million is allocated from the separate capital investment strategy), and £15,000 has been set aside to explore speed indicators in the town area.
Recognising the ongoing impact of the cost of living, the city council has also extended the Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Fund into 2026/7. Additionally In light of the increase to universal credit, it was agreed that income bands for applying council tax reduction are revised so the majority of working age applicants continue to receive a similar level of support through 2026/27. While the scheme aims to protect vulnerable households and limit reductions in entitlement, additional safeguards remain in place for those experiencing exceptional hardship.
This budget also includes provision for preparing the council for the implementation of the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans which is expected to have a significant impact on council resources, so that usual services are not affected.
At the meeting the district council element of the Council tax bill was set at an average increase of 2.99% (which relates to an increase of between £4.50 - £4.83 per year for an average band D property).
Speaking about the budget, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance Cllr Neil Cutler said:
‘I’m very pleased that despite continued and increasing financial pressures, we are able to present not only a balanced budget, but one which continues to improve service delivery and protects residents on low incomes. Importantly it allows for responsible transition to a new unitary council as part of Local Government Reorganisation, and this budget demonstrates we can do that while continuing to maintain and improve the services our residents need.'