Budget consultation 2026/27

2026/27 Budget Consultation

Cotswold District Council is set to face significant financial challenges in 2026/27 and 2027/28, with rising service costs, reduced government funding, and a projected budget gap that requires careful planning. 

Since 2010, the Council’s core funding from central government has been cut by around 60%. Over the next three years, further reductions are expected as the Government makes significant changes to the way all councils are funded. Cotswold District Council, like many other local authorities, could receive a lower level of funding as resources are directed towards children and adults’ social care and addressing deprivation across the country. 

The Council has been anticipating these changes and taken steps in previous years to put money aside as part of its commitment to being a financially responsible council.  More will be known in late December when the Government provides councils with details of its financial settlement following the budget on 26th November. 

Whilst there remains considerable uncertainty for next year, the Council has been proactive in reducing expenditure and identifying savings to help it set a balanced budget for 2026/27. 

This year, the Council has updated its corporate priorities amid a world characterised by change.  

Central government has doubled the housing target for the district, requiring plans for over 1,000 new homes each year, and has asked Cotswold District Council and neighbouring authorities to submit proposals for major local government reforms that could replace county and district councils with one or two unitary authorities. 

Both of these critical changes present substantial challenge for the council. They are fundamental to the Council’s ambition of leaving a lasting legacy – which is why it has added a new priority: Preparing for the future. But more generally, the Council must remain flexible and responsive, steadfast in its vision to continue delivering good services while enhancing and protecting communities – ensuring they’re sustainable and prosperous. 

As such, the Council’s priorities for 2025 to 2028 are: 

• Preparing for the future  
• Delivering good services  
• Responding to the climate emergency  
• Delivering housing  
• Supporting communities  
• Supporting the economy 

As the Council delivers against its priorities with a challenging financial backdrop, it is seeking your views on the budget, to support in planning for the next financial year as well as 2027/28.