Wirral Council Budget 2026-27
Wirral Council has set a balanced budget for the coming year, ensuring its costs of providing services can be contained within its available resources.
For the coming year, 2026-27, it had been forecast that the funding coming into the council would fall short of what the council’s operations is expected to cost.
In part, this is because demand for council services from some of our most vulnerable residents is rising to a significant degree, especially in areas such as social care and SEND.
In addition, the council’s current level of reserves and balances is low, meaning there is not enough financial security to help safeguard against unforeseen financial costs, and steps towards addressing this must be taken.
The Government has agreed the council can utilise up to £6million in Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to help balance its budget while also pushing forward swiftly with ongoing transformation, from the top down, to become sustainable into the future.
EFS is not additional government funding; it is permission to reclassify costs and/or enter into borrowing and is a means to support Councils across the country in presenting a balanced budget.
The Government has made it clear that this agreement for EFS will require the council to undergo an external assurance review that will include "an assessment of the council’s financial position and governance arrangements" to help the authority move towards a more sustainable financial position for future years.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
We have taken the responsible decision to set a balanced budget. The law requires it, and residents expect it.
The reality is simple: demand for adult social care and support for children with additional needs is rising fast, and those services must be protected. Doing nothing was not an option.
I understand that no one welcomes a council tax increase. But failing to act would have meant deeper cuts, instability and the real risk of government intervention. That would not serve the people of Wirral.
Alongside this decision, we are delivering over £10 million in savings, strengthening financial controls and tightening governance across the organisation. Every pound must be justified, and every service must deliver value.
For those who are struggling, targeted hardship support will be available.
This budget is about facing the facts, protecting essential services and putting Wirral back on a stable and sustainable path
Wirral Council budget – what is it and what does it mean for you?
How is the content of the budget decided?
This year the budget process has included many workshops involving councillors (those elected by the public) and officers of the council who are employed to implement the council's policies. This included cross‑party Budget Oversight Panels and a Budget Task & Finish Group to rigorously review all spending and assess options for making savings.
Who has the final say on the budget?
The proposed budget was considered by senior councillors, members of the Policy and Resources committee, who have recommended a balanced budget to be considered by the full council, which met on Monday March 2.
Current situation:
To legally balance the 2026/27 budget, the council has submitted a request for £6 million of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to Government, which has received in principle agreement.
Exceptional Financial Support allows the council to use capital funding – including receipts from sales and borrowing – to cover the day-to-day costs of providing services in the coming year.
In agreeing to the EFS the Government said that the council will undergo an external assurance review that will include "an assessment of the council’s financial position and governance arrangements".
What does the budget mean for you?
The budget for 2026-27 was considered by councillors at a meeting of the full council. There are a number of changes, and among these are:
- Increase in council tax bills of 4.99% in 2026-27. This represents a general increase of 2.99% plus a further 2% which is ringfenced for Adult Social Care.
(Final council tax bills will be known when the additional contribution Wirral Council must make towards the costs of Police & Crime Commissioner for Merseyside and the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority are known.)
- A revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme which will mean eligible people receive less direct support from the Council to pay their council tax bill.
- For the most vulnerable, there will be an enlarged hardship scheme to provide support for those struggling with these bills.
- Many fees charged by the council will rise by 3.8% - this increase is linked to the inflation (CPI) rate seen previously.
What else is the council doing to tackle the budget gap?
Making £10.7m in savings, efficiencies and income through operational improvements, policy updates, and service reviews.
Implementing stricter financial controls and strengthened governance across all parts of the council.
Rebasing budgets in Adult Social Care to align funding with levels of demand.
