DENBIGHSHIRE Council has approved its budget for 2026–27 and confirmed the Council Tax level for the year.
The authority says it continues to face significant financial pressures, with demand for services rising and needs becoming more complex, particularly in schools and social care. Costs outside the council’s control are forecast to exceed £20 million for the fourth year running.
The council has confirmed a 4.76% rise for its own services, with a further 0.46% required for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy, bringing the total Council Tax increase for 2026–27 to 5.22%.
Around three‑quarters of the council’s day‑to‑day spending is funded by Welsh Government, with the remaining 25% raised through Council Tax. Although the latest Welsh Government settlement is described as welcome, the council says it does not cover the full scale of financial pressures, making a rise unavoidable.
Services
Councillor Delyth Jones, Lead Member for Finance, said: “With 64% of our budget spent on schools, social care and homelessness, and a further 14% committed to things like the Wales‑wide national scheme for Council Tax benefit and the levy we have to pay to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, that only leaves 22% left for all other Council services.
“We know these services matter greatly to residents, but the growing demand for statutory services means budgets are continually squeezed. Protecting our most vulnerable residents must remain our priority.
“In setting this year’s budget, we have worked hard to keep Council Tax increases as low as possible, avoiding cuts to services, while still providing the vital services people rely on.”
Education
Essential services such as education, adult care, support for children and homelessness prevention account for 64% of the council’s total budget.
The remainder funds a wide range of day‑to‑day services, including:
- Inspecting around 720 food businesses each year
- Collecting approximately 73,000 bins and recycling containers weekly from nearly 49,000 households
- Maintaining countryside sites such as Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Bodelwyddan Park
- Protecting heritage attractions including Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Plas Newydd
- Providing an average of 12,000 school meals every day
- Transporting around 2,870 learners safely to school
- Maintaining 11,763 streetlights and 1,419 km of county roads
Councillor Jones added: “I’m pleased that this budget does not require reductions to service delivery. Instead, we have focused on efficiencies, income generation and transforming how services operate.”
Residents on low incomes may be eligible for support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, with details available on the council’s website.
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