Savings of £33m planned as council reveals budget

Cheshire West and Chester Council is set to increase council tax by just under 5% as it looks to make more than £30m of savings.

Under its proposed budget for 2026/27, the local authority would see 38 jobs being cut.

Cost-cutting measures include an organisational review, reducing the number of parking ticket machines, and providing less funding for new stock for the area's libraries.

The council is expected to sign off its budget on 26 February and said it would invest in a number of areas.

Other plans for saving money include reviewing its fostering service to try to increase the number of foster carers in the borough and reduce the number of care placements.

It is also looking at introducing four moving traffic enforcement cameras - which allow councils to fine motorists for breaching certain types of traffic restrictions.

The local authority said this would be in "areas that will have the most significant impact on road safety and traffic flow".

It is also looking to reduce the number of parking machines at council-owned car parks because of the "significant costs for maintenance, cash collection and ticket rolls".

Carol Gahan, the council's cabinet member for legal and finance, said setting the budget had required "some very difficult decisions" because of rising demand and increasing costs.

"Throughout this process, we have remained focused on what residents told us matters most to them: protecting care services, supporting vulnerable people and continuing to invest in our communities.

"Despite the challenges we face, these proposals prioritise adult social care and children's services, invest in prevention and early help, and aim to maintain essential neighbourhood services."

The budget will be discussed by Cheshire West and Chester Council's overview and scrutiny committee on 2 February.

It will then be considered by the full council on 26 February.

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