Newsroom

2 February 2026

Blackpool Council proposes 2026/27 budget

Blackpool Council has published proposals for a budget for 2026/27.

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The council’s executive will consider the proposals next week, which will involve finding £16m of savings during the next year.

This takes the total money saved by Blackpool Council over the last 16 years to £245.5m, which has also seen a reduction of a third of the council’s staff in that time.

No jobs or services are expected to be at risk this year and the council is not expecting to apply for Exceptional Financial Support from government.

The council’s earmarked reserves are forecasted to be £19.2m with additional working balances for in-year pressures at £6.9m.

Following the recent Fair Funding Review, Blackpool Council’s core spending will increase by £5.4m this year, a real term reduction below the rate of inflation. In common with most local authorities across the country, the council is faced with increased demand for statutory services such as children’s and adult social care, as well as home to school transport for children with disabilities. As a result, the council is forced to find an additional £16m.

The council is in active discussions with senior government figures before the final settlement is delivered 9 February, however the proposal works on the smallest funding option possible.

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Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool residents have had a legacy of being underfunded, leaving the town hundreds of millions of pounds worse off. That has meant reduced services for a town that the government’s own data says needs them the most. “Our total social care bill now accounts for 75% of spending that this council does and is legally required to deliver. We invest the other 25% in services that all residents agree are vital, like looking after our parks, emptying bins and collecting rubbish, fixing our roads and keeping our libraries open. “As always, we have turned over every stone to find the necessary savings, without cutting back on services or reducing staff numbers, while also continuing our vision of creating stronger communities and maximising job opportunities for local people to help us make Blackpool better.”
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A plan to reduce the demand on statutory services by investing in new ways of working is included in the budget, to help residents become more independent and resilient and in turn reducing their need for those statutory services to intervene.

The council will introduce a flexible use of its Capital Receipts Strategy in order to invest in its communities and save money in the long term. This will involve looking at what non-operational land it owns that is not vital for Blackpool residents and disposing of it to fund the improved services.

A proposed 4.99% Council Tax increase will cost the average council taxpayer an additional £1.09 per week; however, this contributes £4m towards local services.

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Cllr Williams added: “I really understand times are hard for many people but we’re spending that money on services that people tell me they value and need like our parks, our libraries, our leisure centres and our Family Hubs, plus our free school breakfast scheme. They all provide free and discounted offers, services and events that everybody can benefit from. “We’re also investing £131m in capital projects over the next three years that will regenerate Blackpool, like the 8,000 workers and students who are moving into the Talbot Gateway, the 5,000 local jobs being created at the Enterprise Zone, new youth services in Revoe, Brunswick and Bispham and providing new and affordable housing developments for people across town. “We’re also increasing the support to families in crisis that means anybody who desperately needs support to pay bills can access it.”
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The proposals will be considered by executive on 10 February. If approved, the budget will be voted on at Full Council on 23 February.

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