Have your say: Budget Consultation 2026
Council budget consultation gets underway and residents encouraged to have their say
Thursday 08 January 2026
Bridgend County Borough Council’s annual budget consultation is now underway, and residents are being encouraged to have their say on the council’s spending priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The draft budget proposals focus on protecting frontline services, prioritising support for the most vulnerable, while including a net increase in funding to schools, children’s services and adult services. This ensures that there will be no savings targets for schools across Bridgend County Borough next year.
The council funds hundreds of different services and has a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget every year. The draft budget will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on 13 January 2026, before going to cross party scrutiny ahead of final approval at Council on 25 February 2026.
The public consultation will remain open until 27 January 2026 and residents can share their views by completing a survey on the council’s website: www.bridgend.gov.uk/council/consultations
“The funding settlement from Welsh Government for 2026/27 was better than anticipated and this has helped us to ensure that the draft budget proposals clearly align to our corporate plan which focuses on key objectives such as protecting the most vulnerable, helping local people to meet their potential and providing thriving communities for residents and businesses. “It has also enabled investment in a range of services that are important to residents and also to support service change to ensure the longer-term financial viability of the council, for example by using digital technology and AI to drive improvements.”
“Like all local authorities across Wales and the United Kingdom, we are still facing many ongoing financial challenges. However, it’s pleasing that we have received an increase in funding of 4.6% from Welsh Government this year and this has helped to reduce our funding gap for the forthcoming financial year. “Our pre-budget campaign made clear to the public about what services we are and aren’t responsible for as well as including information about how our total budget is funded. The majority of our budget comes from Welsh Government’s Revenue Support Grant, with Council Tax only accounting for around 20% of our overall budget. “I would like to encourage all residents to have their say and it’s also pleasing that focus groups are planned with some of our school pupils and other members of our community.”