County council approves 2026-27 budget

Denbighshire County Council has today (Thursday, 12 February) approved its budget and set the Council Tax level for 2026–27.

Like councils across the UK, Denbighshire continues to face significant financial pressures. Demand for services is rising, and needs are becoming more complex, particularly in our schools and from those needing social care.  Next year, costs that are outside of the council’s control are forecast to exceed £20 million for the fourth consecutive year.

Most of the council’s day-to-day costs in providing services is funded by Welsh Government with the remaining 25% funding generated from Council Tax.  The recent increase in funding from Welsh Government – although welcome – does not fully cover our financial pressures, making a Council Tax rise unavoidable.

Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, said: “With 64% of our budget spent on schools, social care and homelessness, and a further 14% committed to things like the Wales wide national scheme for Council Tax benefit and the levy we have to pay to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, that only leaves 22% left for all other Council services.

“We know these services matter greatly to residents, but the growing demand for statutory services means budgets are continually squeezed. Protecting our most vulnerable residents must remain our priority.

“In setting this year’s budget, we have worked hard to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible, avoiding cuts to services, while still providing the vital services people rely on.”

The approved Council Tax for 2026–27 is 4.76% for Council services, along with the additional 0.46% which has to be paid to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy, giving a total of 5.22%.

Essential services such as education, adult care, support for children and homelessness prevention account for 64% of the Council’s total budget. The remainder covers a wide range of everyday services including:

• Inspecting around 720 food businesses each year
• Collecting approximately 73,000 bins and recycling containers weekly from nearly 49,000 households
• Maintaining countryside sites such as Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Bodelwyddan Park
• Protecting heritage attractions including Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd
• Providing over 12 million school meals a year
• Transporting around 2,870 learners safely to school
• Maintaining 11,763 streetlights and 1,419 km of county roads

Councillor Jones added: “I’m pleased that this budget does not require reductions to service delivery. Instead, we have focused on efficiencies, income generation and transforming how services operate.”

For those residents worried about paying their Council Tax, those on low incomes may be eligible for support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. More information is available on Denbighshire County Council’s website