The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, Councillor James Crocker, approved the commencement of public consultation on Warwickshire County Council's budget priorities for 2027/28. This includes seeking public views on spending levels and Council Tax options, and approving the draft consultation materials for publication.

Public Budget Consultation 2027/28

Councillor James Crocker, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, approved the launch of a public consultation regarding Warwickshire County Council's budget priorities, spending levels, and Council Tax options for the 2027/28 financial year. This decision also included the approval of the draft consultation materials, which will be made available to the public. The consultation is scheduled to run from 5 October to 1 November 2026.

The report presented to Councillor Crocker highlighted that the council faces significant financial pressures, particularly in areas such as children's social care, adult social care, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and home to school transport. Despite having already implemented substantial savings programmes, further action is necessary to balance the budget for the upcoming financial year. The council's net revenue budget for 2026/27 is approximately £703 million.

The consultation aims to gather feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders on their priorities for council services, potential Council Tax increases, and areas where savings, efficiencies, or income generation could be explored. The feedback received will be used to inform the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the council's budget proposals for 2027/28. The outcomes of the consultation will be presented to Cabinet in December 2026, with the final budget to be agreed by the full Council on 4 February 2027.

The draft consultation material, prepared by Stephanie Phillips, Finance Manager - Financial Strategy, has been amended based on feedback from previous consultations to improve clarity, accessibility, and usability. The consultation document includes a brief explanation of council services to assist respondents in understanding the scope of each area.

Councillor Crocker welcomed the opportunity for direct engagement with residents and stakeholders, emphasising the importance of incorporating community views alongside statutory responsibilities and financial advice. The decision is subject to a call-in period, which will conclude on Friday, 2 October 2026.

The full details of the decision and the reasons behind it can be found in the Decisions Friday 25-Sep-2026 11.30 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf. Further information on the consultation process and background can be accessed in the Public reports pack Friday 25-Sep-2026 11.30 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf. The meeting minutes are available in the Public minutes Friday 25-Sep-2026 11.30 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf.