NWBC approved its 2026/27 budget, freezing council tax and investing in community projects, enforcement, safety, street cleaning, leisure facilities, homelessness support and flood prevention.
At its Full Council meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026, North Warwickshire Borough Council approved the budget for 2026/27, setting a balanced financial plan amid continued uncertainty around Local Government Reorganisation. The budget has been shaped around residents’ priorities, maintaining a strong focus on enhancing the high‑quality services valued by local communities.
Residents told us in the latest survey that key areas of importance include efficient service delivery, improved leisure and recreational facilities, cleaner streets, additional community spaces, firm and targeted enforcement, and safer communities.
The Council’s budget for 2026/27 includes no increase in its share of the council tax, marking what we believe to be only the third time in the Council’s 52-year history that the Council has frozen the borough’s council tax rate. This reflects the authority’s careful budget planning and financial management, while continuing to deliver essential local services and prioritise investment in key areas. The freeze represents a significant milestone in the Council’s long-term financial strategy.
At the Full Council meeting, the Council approved a fund of £2 million for communities to bid for funding for facilities and projects in their areas and £10,000 for two years towards enabling Parish Councils to proudly fly the nation’s flag if they wish to do so. A further £100,000 has been allocated over two years to support flood prevention initiatives, and £700,000 for two years to reduce homelessness and support residents with critical housing needs.
The Council also confirmed the decision made last year to commit to the £27m needed to rebuild the Leisure Centre in Atherstone. The budget also sets aside a further £300,000 to create three new pump tracks within the borough, complementing the existing tracks in Dordon and Ansley.
The cleanliness and appearance of North Warwickshire’s towns and villages will benefit from a further £250,000 for street cleaning, and there will be a repeat of the highly successful fund of £200,000 to support the appearance of ‘High Street’ shops in our main retail areas and surrounding villages. The budget includes £25,000 for the replacement of public bins identified as being in poor condition.
The Council has also allocated £15,000 for projects to improve residents’ safety and to strengthen enforcement capacity further, the budget also proposes an additional £36,000 towards staffing costs for CCTV in Atherstone. The Council will continue discussions with other areas of the Borough to explore opportunities for them to link into the system and the Police’s ANPR network.
A total of £123,000 has been allocated to strengthen Environmental Health and Planning teams, to investigate breaches of planning control and environmental crimes such as fly‑tipping and dog control. The funding will support additional capacity, including the recruitment of an additional Environmental Crime Officer and two Community Support Officers.
Furthermore, a total of £350,000 over two years has been allocated to Councillors’ grants, providing each elected member with dedicated funding to support priorities within their local communities. This allocation strengthens Councillors’ ability to respond to emerging needs and opportunities at a local level, ensuring resources are available to help address the unique circumstances of each ward.
Councillor David Wright, Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said:
"This budget reflects what our residents have told us matters most. By freezing our element of Council Tax, we’re easing pressure on households while still investing in cleaner streets, stronger enforcement, safer communities and improved local facilities. Our priority is clear: delivering the high‑quality services that people across North Warwickshire rely on every day."
Read the Letter to Residents from David Wright
