Wiltshire Council leader outlines key priorities for 2026
Balanced budget, carbon neutrality, and strong community consultation top the agenda
Wiltshire Council leader Ian Thorn has set out his priorities for the coming year, emphasizing financial sustainability, quality services, carbon neutrality, and meaningful public consultation.
Cllr Thorn has highlighted the end of February, when Wiltshire’s budget is due to be decided, as a crucial moment for the council.
He described achieving a balanced budget as a necessary foundation for ensuring the council can meet its responsibilities, which include managing services for vulnerable adults and children with special educational needs.
“We’re under enormous pressures around the delivery of services to adults and young people,” Thorn said.
“Local government is the only branch of government required to have a balanced budget by law, so there’s real pressure to achieve that. It’s absolutely vital to ensure we have a stable, well-established financial position from February onwards.”
The Council Leader added that having a solid financial platform will allow the authority to continue delivering the best possible services to the public in the coming year.
Building a sustainable Wiltshire
Beyond financial considerations, Thorn is keen to pursue ambitious sustainability goals for the county during 2026.
“I’m determined to move further forward in delivering a carbon-neutral Wiltshire Council. It’s a challenge, but an important one," he said.
Thorn acknowledged the wider effort required to achieve a carbon-neutral Wiltshire as a whole, describing the task as “a much tougher challenge” but one that he believes the council must tackle to create a more sustainable future for residents.
Commitment to genuine public engagement
The council leader is also committed to improving public consultation processes, focusing on meaningful communication with local residents in Wiltshire.
“We don’t believe in fake consultation,” Thorn said. “We’re working to be a listening council, where we engage people, whether it’s good news, bad news or something in between.
“I’ve been really encouraged by the consultation we’ve been doing since May, and it’s something we want to keep building on.”
Transforming for a sustainable future
As councils across the UK face increasing financial pressure and rising demands for local services, Thorn sees transformation as key to navigating these challenges.
“Central government funding for local councils has reduced substantially over the past 20 years, with demands growing significantly during the same time,” Thorn explained.
While Wiltshire Council continues to seek ways to improve efficiency, Thorn remains focused on delivering essential services, saying: “The financial pressure forces us to think more carefully and strategically about the future.
“But over the next few years, it will be vital to transform ourselves into a council that can offer these everyday services while maintaining a balanced budget. I am determined that we will preserve those key services for all residents in Wiltshire to use and enjoy.”