Have a say on council budget plan

VIEWS SOUGHT AS AUTHORITY LOOKS TO MAKE £6.9M SAVINGS

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

MEMBERS of the public can now have their say on Kirklees Council's proposed spending plans for 2026/27 as the Labour administration’s draft budget takes the next steps.

In the next financial year, the local authority needs to make a saving of £6.9m, with cuts to focus on reducing administrative costs and improving productivity, under the current plans. The council says this will minimise the impact on frontline services and residents.

Labour's draft budget features a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax from April 2026, with two per cent of this earmarked to fund extra demand for social care. This equates to an extra £1.88 per week for a Band D property in Kirklees. In addition, 55 Full Time Equivalent roles would be lost, though 28 are already vacant.