Budget proposals – have your say
We have opened our annual budget consultation for 2026/27, inviting views on a range proposals that will shape local services for the year ahead.
The proposals, which include the creation of a ‘Legacy Fund’ to provide one-off funding to long-term community projects, have been bolstered by the news that we will receive more in Government grant than previously expected.
The concept of a Legacy Fund to provide one-off funding for long-lasting community projects has received cross-party support at NWLDC. Projects could include investment in community buildings, improving or increasing leisure facilities in the district, and creating and improving walking and cycling routes.
The consultation runs until Saturday 31 January 2026.
See the budget proposals and give your feedback
Council budgets
We provide services to over 105,000 residents and 50,000 households.
These services include waste collection, street cleansing, council housing, parks, and leisure centres. We also look after planning, environmental health and licensing, as well as car parks, cemeteries and markets.
We have teams that tackle environmental crime, as well as working on community safety, health and wellbeing, and regeneration and tourism. We also manage all elections for our area, and support our councillors to represent their communities.
General Fund
Most of our services are funded through our General Fund, with income from three main sources:
Council tax (paid by households)
Fees and charges (for services like car parks and planning)
Government grants
Recent changes through the Government’s Fair Funding Review mean we have a more predictable grant for the next three years.
However, funding will likely change significantly from 2028 when local government reorganisation creates a new unitary council that provides all council services.
The proposals suggest using some of our one-off funding to benefit communities now.
Housing Revenue Account
Our housing service is managed using a separate account called the Housing Revenue Account.
This is funded completely by rent from our tenants, and grants. It is then only spent within our housing service, investing in our council homes, and keeping them safe and well maintained.
The budget proposals for the Housing Revenue Account include continued investment in upgrading our housing stock not just this year, but over the coming years.
This ongoing programme of improvements is built into our budget planning to ensure that tenants benefit from safe, comfortable and modern homes well into the future.
Rent increases will continue to be set in line with government policy, ensuring they remain fair and sustainable while supporting these vital improvements
Budget headlines
We have been allocated more than expected in Government grant, and given assurance of funding for the next three years, allowing us to plan better for the future
Proposal to create a £2 million Legacy Fund for community projects using one-off capital funding
A proposed mid-level council tax increase of 2.75% (around £4 a year for most households) to maintain financial sustainability
Proposed investment in CCTV, noise nuisance monitoring kit, and equipment for tackling environmental crime and waste services
Expected income of around £129,000 in planning fees, which will be invested in services
Proposed continuation of two hours’ free parking in Coalville, to support our regeneration work in the town
Proposed increase in parking fees across the district to remain financially sustainable.
Government grant
We previously predicted a gap of £2 million in our budget following the Government’s Fair Funding Review, which has changed the way business rates are paid to councils.
But just before Christmas, we received confirmation that this grant will actually provide the authority with sufficient funding over the next three years to balance the budget and maintain reserves to fund the capital programme.
The funding changes also provide more financial certainty for the next three years, allowing the council to make longer term investments in services.
Proposals being put forward by councillors include the creation of a community Legacy Fund, enabling local groups to bid for one-off grants for projects that will have a lasting positive impact beyond the point of local government reorganisation, which will see district council services provided by a new unitary council from 2028.
Council tax increase
We had expected to have to make savings on our services this year, but the Government grant means we can maintain them without cuts. To keep services running in future years, we need to maintain strong ongoing income.
Our reserves are healthy, but this is one-off money. The proposals are to keep our reserves in healthy balance, and use some capital funding to invest for the future.
The Government expects councils to maximise council tax to remain financially sustainable.
The proposal is for a 2.75% increase in council tax
This means most households would pay an extra £4.59 or less next year for district council services.
Most homes in North West Leicestershire are Band D or below. If council tax is raised by 2.75%, a Band D property would pay an additional £4.59 for district council services in 2026/27.
Note: the overall bill will increase by more than this, due to the county council, police, fire and parish councils increasing their parts of the council tax bill. This £4.59 increase is only for the district council part of the bill.
Budget-setting timeline
The following meetings will consider the budget proposals. These are public meetings; you are welcome to attend in person, or join the meeting online. Meetings are recorded and shared in the days following.
Cabinet will consider the survey responses at its meeting on Tuesday 3 February.
A final draft budget will be prepared for consideration by Council on Thursday 19 February.