In 2026 to 2027 funding will come from:
- retained business rate and baseline need funding: £70,229,622
- specific government grants: £260,090,974
- fees, charges and other income: £163,431,647
- Council Tax: £178,869,932
- use of reserves: £0
- Exceptional Financial Support: £9,856,414.
Total: £682,478,589
What does the council spend money on?
We mostly spend our money on education, schools and children's social services. This is like most other councils that have a responsibility for education.
The next area that has a large amount spent on it is housing, followed by other services for the community such as care for older people. The cost of older people's services is increasing because people are living longer.
| Services 2026 to 2027 | Budget 2026 to 2027 | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| Services for children | £224.652 million | £615,000 |
| Housing (including benefit payments) | £89.884 million | £246,000 |
| Adult social services | £180.671 million | £495,000 |
| Services for the environment | £66.975 million | £183,000 |
| Leisure and cultural services | £27.041 million | £74,000 |
| Public Health | £25.232 million | £69,000 |
| Other services | £72.729 million | £199,000 |
| Budget 2026 to 2027 | £687.184 million | £1.883 million |
Key council services
- adult social services
- children and families, including education
- Council Tax reduction scheme and housing benefit
- community safety
- economic development
- environmental services and licensing
- highways and public transport
- housing and health improvement
- leisure services
- libraries
- planning services
- street cleaning and parking
- trading standards
- waste collection and recycling
- waste disposal
- youth services.