In proposals for the 2026/27 budget, South Ribble Borough Council has pledged investment to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and to improve parks and play areas.
In proposals for the 2026/27 budget, South Ribble Borough Council has pledged investment to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and to improve parks and play areas, along with continued town centre development and more affordable housing.
Residents are being asked for their views on the budget proposals ahead of a full council meeting in March where the final budget will be approved. People can respond at www.southribble.gov.uk/consultations.
The council is proposing a balanced budget which allows for vital day to day services and innovative projects to continue.
To achieve this a 1.9% increase in their portion of Council Tax is proposed which is the equivalent of 9p more a week for a Band D property. Across the year the increase paid to the council for a Band D property would be just £4.68, which will allow for the continued delivery of excellent services.
Over the last 12 months the council has refurbished leisure centres, and completed the flagship extra care facility, Jubilee Gardens. Several parks and open spaces have been approved, with a new Green Flag award gained at Farington Park, and residents have been supported through the innovative social prescribing service and through the distribution of the Household Support Fund.
Councillor Wesley Roberts, Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets said, “As a local resident, I want our council to be fair, ambitious, and robust. That is what this proposed budget delivers. It will allow us to continue to deliver high quality services like collecting your bins, invest in our community spaces like our wonderful parks and deliver services to help our most vulnerable residents, such as our Social Prescribing Service, which is transformational.
“We only keep about 10% of Council Tax, but we are conscious that everyone is feeling the squeeze on cost of living, so that’s why we are proposing a rise of Council Tax which is half the rate of inflation, 1.9%. Just 9p more a week for a band D property.
“Despite financial constraints, this budget is balanced. It allows us to continue to deliver our excellent services, invest in the right places and continue to make the lives of our residents better.”
The range of investment proposed in the new budget, alongside continuation of the vital day-to-day services provided by the council, sees:
- £1.4 million programme to develop and deliver the Parks, Play and Open Space Strategy, enhancing parks and play areas across the borough to improve community spaces and promote wellbeing.
- £1 million to maximise the availability of affordable housing in the borough.
- £34.9 million in total project costs to deliver the next phase of the Leyland Town Deal
- £3.9 million over multiple years to deliver the Penwortham Masterplan.
- £400,000 to deliver a community grants programme through local community and voluntary organisations to strengthen community resilience and support the health, wellbeing, and inclusion of residents.
- £140,000 through the Better Care Fund to help residents to retain independence and ensure homes are safe and accessible by delivering a Minor Aids and Adaptations service.
The council, along with others across the country, face cost pressures because of high levels of inflation, utility costs, and interest rates, along with the uncertainty around future government funding.
Councillor Roberts continued, “Over the next two years, our council will deliver savings over £1.4 million through our fit for the future programme. We will continue to innovate to generate further savings and invest in projects that all our residents can be proud of.
“This budget will allow us to continue to build on our success of the last 12 months which has seen us refurbish our leisure centres and complete our flagship extra care facility, Jubilee Gardens. We have improved several parks and open spaces and have supported residents through the distribution of the Household Support Fund.”
The budget consultation responses will be collected from 15 January to 29 January and collated and considered as part of the full council meeting in March.
You can see the full proposals and respond to the consultation at www.southribble.gov.uk/consultations.