Council leaders have said the proposed budget for 2026 to 2027 will “invest in what matters most to residents” as well as delivering essential public services.
The council has already announced plans to invest £10 million in the city’s highways programme and more than £750,000 on new teams to improve the appearance of local neighbourhoods.
Councillor Louise Miles, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “I’m proud to deliver a budget that responds to the needs of our residents.
"We thank everyone who took part in our budget consultation which we’ve used to help shape our plans to invest in what matters most to our residents. Our budget will once again address the most pressing issues for people who live in, work in, learn in and visit Wolverhampton.”
The budget will see Council Tax increase by 4.99% to help meet the rising cost and demand for essential services including adult and children’s social care. The budget includes additional funding set aside for residents who are struggling to pay their Council Tax and other household bills.
Councillor Miles said the council still faced financial challenges after welcoming additional funding in the Government’s 3 year financial settlement, including the continuation of the Recovery Grant.
“We have a strong track record of managing our money well but, like all councils, we are facing financial pressures after years of reduced funding and increased demand for our services,” she said.
“We are delivering £30 million in savings and, thanks to the financial settlement from the Government, can plan with greater certainly over the next 3 years while managing our financial pressures and changing the way we deliver services for our residents.”
Last month, an independent audit report backed the way the council managed its money, recognising strong governance arrangements and highlighting how its financial strategy allowed it to meet local priorities, while delivering a rigorous savings programme and delivering value for money.
The budget for 2026 to 2027 will go to next week’s meeting of Cabinet ahead of the Budget Setting Full Council meeting on Wednesday 25 February, 2026.
