BCP Council approves budget with council tax increase
Councillors have approved a spending plan of £457 million for the next financial year
Councillors have approved a budget for BCP Council with a council tax increase of over 6%.
The budget which sets a confirms spending of £457 million for 2026/27 was agreed last night (February 24th).
It will allocate funding to services for over 400,000 individuals in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, predominantly focusing on supporting vulnerable children and adults.
BCP Council said to safeguard essential services, a Council Tax increase of 6.74% has been approved, translating to a £10.42 monthly hike for a Band D property.
Despite the increase, Council Tax rates in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole remain lower than similar councils.
The Council said the budget ensures the continuation of vital services such as social care, waste management, transportation, and housing.
It also maintains non-statutory services that benefit local communities, including beach lifeguards and public toilets.
Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “This budget takes a prudent and responsible approach with taxpayers’ money. It focuses on protecting the services our residents rely on most, particularly those that support our most vulnerable communities.
“Like many councils across the country, we are under real financial strain. More people than ever, especially vulnerable adults and children, are turning to us for help, and they have a legal right to receive that support.
“At the same time, the cost of providing these essential services continues to rise, while the funding we receive from national government has been reducing. Overall, this has left us with a projected budget gap of at least £15 million per-year by 2028/29.
“Times are tough, but our communities are kind, resilient, and supportive. As a council, we will continue to stand up for our residents, especially at a time when national government has been clear about redistributing funding away from places they view as having less need.”