The balanced budget was approved by South Ribble Borough Council on 4 March.
The balanced budget was approved by South Ribble Borough Council on 4 March with a pledge improve the health and wellbeing of residents and to improve parks and play areas, along with continued town centre development and more affordable housing.
The range of investment 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.
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 budget allows 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.”
To achieve this the council will add an under inflation 1.9% to their portion of Council Tax 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 residents through the innovative social prescribing service and through the distribution of the Household Support Fund.
Councillor Roberts continued, “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 which is under the rate of inflation, 1.9%. Just 9p more a week for a band D property.”
“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.”
You can see the full budget at www.southribble.gov.uk/budget2026-27
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