Let's Talk2gether about our Council Budget for 2026/27 & beyond
As a Council we look to plan our spending over a number of years. This involves forecasting expenditure, income and funding from Welsh Government.
In Blaenau Gwent we continue to face the same financial challenges as in previous years, similarly to how the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect so many of you in our communities. Demand for council services continues to grow, from Additional Learning Needs provision in our schools, to homelessness, to social services and to some of the frontline services that our communities depend on every day.
Together with our federated partners Torfaen Council, we have adopted the Marmot Principles - placing fairness and social justice at the heart of decision making and resource allocation. These principles guide efforts to reduce health inequalities and improve well-being across the community, focusing on areas such as giving every child the best start in life, creating fair employment, ensuring healthy living standards, and tackling discrimination.
We have also launched The Deal, a new way of working between the Council, residents and partners to transform how services are designed and delivered. The Deal will focus on prevention, empowerment and collaboration and is structured around five missions:
Mission One: Early Years – Building Bright Futures - Support every child to thrive by building strong foundations for lifelong learning and development – focusing on cognitive, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
Mission Two: Inspiring Lifelong Learning, Ambition and Resilience - Inspire ambition and resilience by empowering people of all ages to lead informed, independent, and healthy lives.
Mission Three: Wellbeing through Community Leadership -Partner with communities to harness local strengths and improve wellbeing, reducing the need for early access to statutory services.
Mission Four: Thriving Economy, Vibrant Places - Drive sustainable economic growth and create vibrant, well-connected communities where people and businesses can thrive.
Mission Five: Empowered Communities, Shared Power and Success - Work alongside communities to capture their ambition and energy as we plan and deliver our services, creating the conditions for community resilience, self-reliance, and shared success.
The Council’s Overall Budget
Welsh Government funding for councils across Wales from April 2026 ranges from an increase of 6.1% to 4.1%. Our funding increase is 4.9%. This increase is positive and will help us continue to invest in our services. The graphic below shows how our current budget is spent:
Key Facts on your Council Tax
All Councils in Wales are considering increases in Council Tax as part of their budget setting.
Council Tax in the Blaenau Gwent area currently makes up 25% of our overall budget, which is the third lowest in Wales.
The Council does not get all the money, a small part goes to the Police and your local Town/Community Council.
As part of our ongoing financial planning, and in line with our Medium Term Financial Strategy, we outline a proposal each year for Council Tax. For 2026/27 we are proposing an increase of up to 4.95%.
How much more would a household pay per week at 4.95%:
- Band A £1.28
- Band B £1.49
- Band C £1.71
- Band D £1.92
- Band E £2.34
- Band F £2.77
- Band G £3.20
- Band H £3.84
- Band I £4.48
With our new approach, we have focused on continuing to manage our resources and spending, and as such are not proposing any service cuts this year. Instead, we propose, with your support, to invest in what you have told us matters to you: roads, community services and support, libraries, education, and social care.
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