Budget Consultation 2026/27

Overview

Cherwell District Council remains committed to strong financial management through prudent and strategic planning. We have been transparent about national challenges and work to maintain a balanced budget while protecting core services. Our transformation programme, designed to increase efficiency and leverage technology to modernise our service models, is aimed at delivering millions in annual savings - ensuring essential services continue for residents.

Despite the challenging national picture, we are consulting on a balanced 2026/27 budget, achieved through efficiencies, fee reviews, and new income sources — without reducing essential services.

Leader’s foreword:

Protecting your key local services: a balanced budget for 2026/27

It’s been my privilege to lead your district council since May 2024. We’re lucky to live in a beautiful, diverse and innovative district, and my administration is passionate about protecting and improving the local services that support you, helping ensure that Cherwell continues to be a vibrant and inclusive place to live and work.

Sound finances are the cornerstone of this mission, and we will always take prudent and well-evidenced decisions to balance our budget and prepare for the future.

Councils across the UK are facing significant challenges setting their budget for next year. Cherwell is no different and is not the only one faced with an increasing demand for our services and continued increases in the cost of delivering them. There is also a high degree of uncertainty regarding the level of grant funding that will be allocated by national government for the next financial year. Current indications suggest that this national funding is likely to be substantially reduced.

How we’ve delivered

To meet this challenge, we are consulting on proposals that will save £1.785m in 2026/27. It’s a responsible and forward-thinking plan that allows us to balance our budget whilst safeguarding the services we provide.

We are also asking for your views on some careful and measured investment to protect a number of our property assets and to provide temporary accommodation for those experiencing homelessness.

Looking ahead

The government has announced plans to fundamentally redistribute the grant funding it gives to councils. Cherwell does not expect to receive any specific information on the financial implications of this until late December.

We have prepared the following proposals based on the best available modelling of next year’s financial picture, but we may need to adjust our 2026/27 budget once details of grant funding become available.

Part of responsible financial planning is also looking ahead to what could occur in subsequent years. Current modelling suggests another considerable budget challenge in 2027/28; we are also therefore asking for your views on some changes to local services that could come into effect the year after next.

Our commitment to you

Sound financial management and a strong commitment to the wellbeing of our communities are at the heart of all we do. My administration will continue to take a responsible approach to protecting your essential services, listening to your views and taking good care of the public funding that we receive.

No final decisions have yet been made about next year’s budget: we will carefully consider all feedback received as part of this budget consultation so please do take part.

Your feedback will help shape budget deliberations scheduled for a meeting of the Council’s executive on 3 February 2026. The final decision on next year’s budget is expected at the full council meeting on 23 February 2026.

Many thanks in advance for your participation.

Councillor David Hingley

Leader of Cherwell District Council