Tewkesbury Borough Council sets 2026/2027 Budget

Press Release 25 February 2026

Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved a budget for 2026/27, which sees its council tax rate remaining as one of the lowest in the country.      

On Tuesday, 24 February, the council agreed a balanced budget of £13,939,914. This includes an increase in council tax for a band D property of £5 per year, from £149.36 to £154.36.      

Councillor Stewart Dove, Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management, said: “I am very pleased that this budget has been approved by the council with cross-party support. This means that across the 2026/2027 financial year, our average householder will pay the council less than £3 per week to have bins emptied, food premises inspected, continue with our work to protect the environment, and all our other vital services delivered.     

“Less than 6.6 per cent of the total council tax that householders pay goes towards covering the cost of services provided by the borough council – as the whole bill also supports the work of the county council, local parish and town councils, and Gloucestershire Constabulary -however we always seek to provide excellent value for money and deliver on our council ambitions.       

“I’m especially pleased that we have been able to set a balanced budget despite further reductions in the level of funding that we receive from central government. As a rural borough council, there is no doubt that we are amongst the big losers from the government’s redistribution of local council funding over the next three years. 

“We have worked extremely hard to ensure we have not had to reduce or stop any of our services to residents for the year ahead. We will seek to ensure that this approach continues as we look at the financial challenges facing us in future years.    

“Despite these tricky budgetary constraints, it is pleasing to note that our sound financial planning has allowed for some further investment in a number of our key services such as Revenues and Benefits, Environmental Health and Planning, as well as our flood response.”      

The budget is based on continuing current council services and the Council Plan. As the authority continues to work with neighbouring councils in light of the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation, the budget will be reviewed, ensuring resources and funding meet its needs and prepare for the formation of a new unitary authority.      

To view the full budget visit tewkesbury.gov.uk.  

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