Kirklees to up council tax by 4.99 per cent

Senior councillors say this budget marks a “turning point” for the local authority, following years of tough decisions and grappling with sizable shortfalls.

When the financial difficulties peaked in 2023/24, the council faced a £47m black hole in its budget. This was offset through measures such as a recruitment freeze, selling off assets and service cuts.

Looking ahead to 2026/27, the council will need to make a saving of £6.9m.

This time, the cuts will revolve around reducing administrative costs and improving productivity to minimise the impact on frontline services and residents.

At their meeting on December 2, the cabinet will be asked to agree the draft budget for 2026/27.

Residents and businesses across Kirklees will then be able to comment on the proposals before the budget is finalised at a meeting of all councillors in February 2026.

The proposed draft budget would see 55 full-time equivalent roles lost, though 28 of these are vacant.

Twenty-seven people would be put at risk of redundancy, though the council hopes to redeploy staff and offer voluntary redundancy on a case-by-case basis.

The draft budget would also mean an increase in council tax of 4.99 per cent from April 2026.

This equates to an extra £1.88 per week for a Band D property in Kirklees.

The plans set aside £15.2m to meet the needs of increasing numbers of older and disabled people who need social care and includes £5.9m in additional funding for services for children who need the council’s support.

Cash has also been allocated to tackle fly-tipping and enforce planning decisions.

A draft five-year Capital Programme has been drawn up with £35m earmarked for a new sports centre for Dewsbury and North Kirklees.

It includes cash for Huddersfield’s Our Cultural Heart, £18m for regeneration projects in Dewsbury and £13m for schemes in other towns including Batley, Marsden and Holmfirth.

Leader of Kirklees Council, Coun Carole Pattison, said: “In Kirklees, we’ve turned a corner. Our finances are in a stable position so we can invest in the services people really value.”