Vale Council sets balanced 2026/27 budget focused on communities, services and responsible spending
Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed its £21million budget for 2026/27, setting out how it will protect essential local services, invest in community facilities and manage public money responsibly during a period of continued financial pressure on councils and households.
The budget maintains frontline services across the district, supports local communities and commits significant investment to public buildings and infrastructure, including leisure centres, waste services and housing support.
Cllr Mark Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This budget is about supporting our communities and protecting the services people rely on every day – from waste and recycling collections to leisure centres, housing support and community safety.
“We have taken a careful, disciplined and responsible approach to managing the public’s money, so that services remain stable and investment continues where it matters most.”
Councillors have approved over £1million in additional capital investment over the coming years. This includes planned leisure centre improvements, with upgrades to gym equipment, changing facilities and accessibility, as well as energy-saving measures designed to reduce long-term running costs. The Barrow Hills BMX track will be completely re-surfaced to allow the reopening of the site and resurfacing and drainage work will improve safety for residents in Cumnor.
The agreed budget includes a £5 increase for a Band D council tax bill, taking the annual charge to £166.69 for services provided by the district council. The increase has been kept as low as realistically possible while still protecting services and funding essential investment.
Cllr Coleman added: “Good financial management is about robust planning, making sensible decisions, and ensuring taxpayers’ money is used carefully and transparently. This is a responsible budget that supports our communities today while keeping the council on a strong and stable footing for the future.
“Following the Government’s three-year settlement, we have greater certainty than before about future funding, however the unclear direction around Local Government Reorganisation means we need to continue our careful financial planning and prudent approach to managing our budget. We will continue to monitor national funding decisions and cost pressures, while maintaining a focus on value for money and investment that benefits residents across the Vale.”
To view the approved 2026-27 Vale of White Horse District Council budget, visit the 11 February 2026 Council meeting agenda page.
Ends
Notes for editors –
The revenue budget was set for 2026/27, as set out in appendix A.1 to this report. Following an accepted amendment, this is to include the sum of £22,500 as a one-off growth bid in the financial year 2026/27 to support the administration of the Disabled Facilities Grant.
