Rossendale Borough Council has approved its 2026/27 growth-focused budget, supporting the Valley Plan while continuing to deliver key services for residents.
Rossendale Borough Council has approved its budget for 2026/27, setting out a growth-focused financial plan that supports the council’s Valley Plan priorities while continuing to deliver key services for residents.
For the first time in a number of years, the council has been able to set a budget that prioritises growth and investment in the borough, helping to drive forward regeneration, support local communities and strengthen the local economy.
The budget has been shaped to ensure resources are aligned with the ambitions set out in the Valley Plan – the council’s long-term vision for Rossendale – while also preparing the organisation for future changes to the structure of local government expected later in the decade.
As part of the budget, Council Tax will increase by 2.99 per cent. For a Band D property, this means an increase of £9.50 a year, taking the annual charge from £317.66 to £327.16.
Rossendale Borough Council collects Council Tax on behalf of several public services, but it receives only a small share of the total residents pay. In 2026/27, around £53.7 million is expected to be collected across the borough. Of this, Rossendale Borough Council will retain £6.985 million, around 13 per cent of the total. The majority, 71.6 per cent or £38.467 million, goes to Lancashire County Council to fund services such as social care, education and highways, with the remainder supporting fire and policing services.
The council’s share helps fund many of the services residents see and use every day, including bin collections, parks and green spaces, housing support and work to support the local economy.
In the year ahead, the council will invest
-
£1.1 million in neighbourhoods and the environment,
-
£575,000 to help prevent homelessness and support vulnerable residents,
-
£148,000 to strengthen anti-poverty support and encourage more people to be active
-
£221,000 to support economic development and the future of Rossendale’s markets.
Chief Executive Rob Huntington said the budget demonstrated the council’s ambition for the borough.
He said: “The financial environment for local government remains challenging, but we have been able to set a positive, growth-focused budget that supports the priorities set out in our Valley Plan.
“This is the first time in several years that we have been able to align our financial planning so clearly with our ambitions for Rossendale – investing in our communities, supporting regeneration and ensuring the borough continues to grow and thrive.
“The increase in Council Tax equates to £9.50 a year for a Band D property. We recognise any increase has an impact, but the borough council receives only a small share of the overall Council Tax bill. This increase will help us maintain essential services while continuing to deliver on the priorities that matter most to residents.”
Despite the wider changes ahead, including Local Government Reorganisation, the council says its focus remains clear: delivering for residents, supporting local communities and continuing to build a strong future for Rossendale.