The Vale of Glamorgan Council's Budget 2026/27

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet has approved its draft budget proposals for 2026/27 for consultation. Each year, the Council must set a balanced budget.

For 2026/27, the Council will receive just over £240 million from Welsh Government. This makes up about two-thirds of our income. The rest comes mainly from Council Tax, plus charges for some services.

The Welsh Government funding is 4.3% higher than last year.

Why do we still face challenges?

Demand for key services is growing fast, and the cost of delivering them is rising. Like other councils in Wales and England, we face big financial pressures in:

  • Children’s and adult social care
  • School budgets, and Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
  • School transport

This means we have a budget shortfall for next year. To balance the budget, we need to make changes.

What are the proposals?

The draft budget includes:

  • £2.77 million in savings from service budgets, including increased charges for some services to cover costs
  • A Council Tax increase of 5.5%

The proposed Council Tax increase of 5.5% equates to an extra £1.75 a week for a property halfway along the banding scale in category D. It is also less than the projected average increase in Wales, meaning bills in the Vale will remain cheaper than 75% of the country.

How will we make savings?

Some examples of how we plan to make savings in 2026/27 include:

  • Make sure discretionary services cover their costs wherever possible.

  • Review how we buy and deliver services, using digital tools and shared approaches to work smarter while keeping the basics right.

  • Help pupils stay in local schools wherever possible, reducing the need for specialist placements.

  • Use technology and best practice in care so adults receive support with dignity and efficiency.

  • Invest in local facilities so children and young people can stay in their communities.

The Council’s budget explained

Council Tax makes up about one-third of the Council’s annual budget. Most of the rest comes from Welsh Government, including a share of business rates collected across Wales.

The total budget for 2026/27 is £354 million (net expenditure). This includes income from charges for some services.

Most of the budget (69%) goes to social care and education, which have the largest share. Leaving just 31% to be split across hundreds of other services.


Have your say

  • Complete the survey to let us know if you agree or disagree with our budget proposals for 2026/27
  • Learn more about the Council's income and spending and put your knowledge to the test through our budget quiz
  • Find us at community events like the Big Volunteering Fayre on 28 January at Barry Memo and share your views with us
  • Send your views to us in writing via consultation@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or
    FREEPOST RTGU-JGBH-YYJZ
    Vale of Glamorgan Council
    Civic Offices, Holton Road
    Barry
    CF63 4RU

This consultation will close on 13 February 2026.

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet has approved its draft budget proposals for 2026/27 for consultation. Each year, the Council must set a balanced budget.

For 2026/27, the Council will receive just over £240 million from Welsh Government. This makes up about two-thirds of our income. The rest comes mainly from Council Tax, plus charges for some services.

The Welsh Government funding is 4.3% higher than last year.

Why do we still face challenges?

Demand for key services is growing fast, and the cost of delivering them is rising. Like other councils in Wales and England, we face big financial pressures in:

  • Children’s and adult social care
  • School budgets, and Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
  • School transport

This means we have a budget shortfall for next year. To balance the budget, we need to make changes.

What are the proposals?

The draft budget includes:

  • £2.77 million in savings from service budgets, including increased charges for some services to cover costs
  • A Council Tax increase of 5.5%

The proposed Council Tax increase of 5.5% equates to an extra £1.75 a week for a property halfway along the banding scale in category D. It is also less than the projected average increase in Wales, meaning bills in the Vale will remain cheaper than 75% of the country.

How will we make savings?

Some examples of how we plan to make savings in 2026/27 include:

  • Make sure discretionary services cover their costs wherever possible.

  • Review how we buy and deliver services, using digital tools and shared approaches to work smarter while keeping the basics right.

  • Help pupils stay in local schools wherever possible, reducing the need for specialist placements.

  • Use technology and best practice in care so adults receive support with dignity and efficiency.

  • Invest in local facilities so children and young people can stay in their communities.

The Council’s budget explained

Council Tax makes up about one-third of the Council’s annual budget. Most of the rest comes from Welsh Government, including a share of business rates collected across Wales.

The total budget for 2026/27 is £354 million (net expenditure). This includes income from charges for some services.

Most of the budget (69%) goes to social care and education, which have the largest share. Leaving just 31% to be split across hundreds of other services.


Have your say

  • Complete the survey to let us know if you agree or disagree with our budget proposals for 2026/27
  • Learn more about the Council's income and spending and put your knowledge to the test through our budget quiz
  • Find us at community events like the Big Volunteering Fayre on 28 January at Barry Memo and share your views with us
  • Send your views to us in writing via consultation@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or
    FREEPOST RTGU-JGBH-YYJZ
    Vale of Glamorgan Council
    Civic Offices, Holton Road
    Barry
    CF63 4RU

This consultation will close on 13 February 2026.