Wakefield Council budget: Leader says local government ‘no time for novices’ as budget proposals approved
The leader of Wakefield Council said local government was “no time for novices” as the authority put forward budget proposals designed to tackle a £23.4m shortfall.
Denise Jeffery took aim at political opponents as cabinet members agreed draft financial plans which include a maximum council rise of 4.99% during the 2026/27 financial year.
The hike, which includes an addition of 2 per cent to support social care costs, equates to an annual increase of £89.90 (£1.72 per week) for households in Band D.
The move is expected to raise £9.7m of additional income for the Labour-run authority.
Coun Jeffery told a meeting on Tuesday (January 13): “We are an experienced leadership team running this council.
“The continuing difficult financial picture across local government makes that more important than ever.
“It’s no time for novices at the moment.”
An ‘all-out’ local election is due to be held in Wakefield in May this year, in which all 63 council seats will be contested as a result of changes to ward boundaries.
Coun Jeffery added: “People need to be aware of what is at stake this year and not put vital services at risk by taking a gamble.
“Our responsible and long-term leadership means that we are able to produce a balanced approach to our budget setting process this year.”
The spending plan also includes making £11.5m of “service efficiencies and savings” across a number of departments.
A report to cabinet members said the financial climate for local authorities remained “extremely challenging.”
Coun Jeffery said: “The increase in council tax is in line with what nearly every council in this country will be doing, including councils run by Reform and the Conservatives.
“The national funding arrangements for local government assume it’s what councils will do, irrespective of which political party runs them.
“We are a well-run council and a stable council. We never take the decision to increase council tax lightly.
“It’s only after we have exhausted all other options.
“Anybody who tells you they can do something different without decimating our public services is being deeply irresponsible and gambling with the future of this district.
“Elsewhere in the country, some councils have taken that risk.
“It always leads to services being slashed to the bone and much higher council tax rises in the long-term, and the most vulnerable in local communities suffering the most.
“This cabinet will never take that risk with Wakefield’s future.”
Proposals include spending an additional £9m on adult social care and £5m on children and young people due to both services facing “record levels” of demand.
Council deputy leader Jack Hemingway said: “The stand-out issue for our council and our district is the increasing cost of social care for adults and children.
“It’s something we absolutely have to fund to ensure that vulnerable residents who need us aren’t let down.
“This is the reality of local government. Difficult choices have to be made.
“Despite what some might say, there are no easy answers to this.
“That’s why we are seeing councils of all political colours proposing to put up council tax.
“The truth is there are few efficiencies left to be made, just officers working hard, trying to do more with less for their communities.”
The proposals will be put out to a public consultation and a final plan will be reported to cabinet in February after feedback has been considered.
The budget must then be approved at a full council meeting on March 2.
If approved, it would be the fourth consecutive year that council tax across the district has risen by the maximum permitted amount.
The amount paid by Band D householders would likely remain the lowest out of the five West Yorkshire local areas if another council tax rise is agreed.