Unbelievable message from HM Government to RBWM.

Its the Council Budget season again.  I attended the RBWM Cabinet Meeting on 24/2/2026 and reminded the attendees about the Wraysbury Drain at Hythe End, the Black Potts Footbridge in Datchet and the RTS/DHEFIM Partnership Funding problem.  Could it be that the costs of fixing these issues will be about £0.5m, £1.0m and £50m respectively.

RBWM Council Tax lags behind other councils.  Apparently HM Government has informed RBWM that the Council Tax can be raised by 7.45%.  In fact the long-term reductions in Central Government funding have resulted in a Budget Deficit but HM Government has generously confirmed that further monies can be borrowed and added to our existing debt mountain.   CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!

Local Government Finance Settlement 2026/27 and 2027/28

Council tax and Exceptional Financial Support

Fairness for taxpayers is at the heart of this government’s decision making. For the vast majority of councils, the government will maintain a core referendum threshold of 3%, with a 2% adult social care precept over the multi-year Settlement. When taking decisions on council tax levels, the government expects all authorities to carefully consider the impact on households.

Our local government finance reforms get money to where it is needed, but we recognise that some councils remain in a challenging financial position as they continue to deal with the legacy of the previous system. Some have requested additional flexibility to increase their council tax without holding a referendum next year. We have carefully considered requests from these councils and only agreed to small additional flexibilities in seven councils – less than the councils requested in all but one area. We will provide additional flexibilities so councils can decide whether to set their council tax above 5% core referendum principles in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (1.75%), Warrington (2.5%), Trafford (2.5%), Worcestershire (4%), Shropshire (4%), North Somerset (4%), and Windsor and Maidenhead (2.5%) next year. These additional flexibilities are a limit, not a target. Decisions on council tax levels are for local authorities. One fire authority will also receive an additional flexibility of £5.