Max council tax increase and £32m cuts to services approved by Walsall cabinet
Cabinet members have approved a 4.99 per cent council tax increase in its 2026/27 budget.
It includes a two per cent precept which is ringfenced for adult social care costs.
Residents in Walsall are already paying the highest amount of council tax across the four Black Country local authorities.
The 4.99 per cent increase is the maximum allowed without holding a referendum.
Cabinet members on February 11 also approved £32.83m cuts to services in order to balance the books next year.
Some of the cost savings measures include a review of the home to school transport programme and the reduction of opening hours at Walsall New Art Gallery by three hours a week, saving £22,000.
The council proposes to increase parking charges by 20 per cent, saving £20,000, and a review of the council’s cultural offer which is said to save £100,000.
Also a review of the council’s leisure and health initiatives, including the four Active Living Centres in Bloxwich, Darlaston, Walsall Wood and Gala, at an estimated saving of £267,501.
The 2026/27 budget is now subject to a vote at full council on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Currently, households in a Band D property pay £2,498.27 per year.
Following the increase, they will be charged £2,627.48 for 2026/27, equating to £7.20 per day.
Nearly a third of the council’s entire £864million budget will be spent on adult social care and children’s services in 2026/27.
In the years to come there is a predicted £50.37million hole in the council’s budget, even with an yearly 4.99 per cent increase.
Leader of the council and portfolio holder for finance, Councillor Mike Bird, said: “We should be proud of the budget we’re presenting to full council.
“Walsall Council continues to demonstrate strong and robust financial management and our financial standing continues to compare favourably to similar local authorities regionally and nationally.”
