Budget 2026: Balanced budget protects and backs North Lincolnshire’s future

North Lincolnshire Council has approved a balanced budget that protects vital support for vulnerable residents while continuing to invest in roads, regeneration, flood resilience and local communities.

Despite reduced Government funding, rising costs and growing demand for essential services, the council has agreed a clear and disciplined financial plan focused on stability, protection and long-term value.

Around 80 per cent of council spending directly supports vulnerable adults, children and local communities – services that are not provided by any other organisation.

The budget safeguards care and support for older and disabled residents, maintains the council’s long-term financial sustainability and continues to back businesses to create secure, well-paid jobs.

Cllr Rob Waltham said: “This is a responsible budget for challenging times. We have protected the things that matter most – particularly support for vulnerable residents – while continuing to invest in North Lincolnshire’s future.

“National decisions have increased costs for councils without fully funding them. We will not hollow out essential services for short-term gain. This plan is balanced, disciplined and focused on long-term stability.”

Higher employer National Insurance contributions, Living Wage uplifts and sustained inflationary pressures have driven significant increases in workforce costs, with more than £6m added to social care costs alone this year.

The Government settlement does not fully fund those increases, leaving councils expected to bridge the gap.

Cllr Waltham added: “The Government has chosen to cut funding to councils. This budget is not about expansion – it is about protection.

“It preserves frontline support and ensures the council remains financially resilient in the face of externally driven cost pressures. More than 80 per cent of our capital investment programme is funded through external grants rather than local taxation, and our ongoing efficiency programme continues to reshape services around prevention and long-term value rather than crisis response.”

The budget commits more than £200m over the next four years to infrastructure, regeneration and community facilities – strengthening town centres, protecting homes from flooding, supporting economic growth and improving local environments.

Budget highlights include:

• £20m for highways improvements from April
• £10m investment in schools across North Lincolnshire
• £3m grant pot for rural communities
• Creation of an additional 100 new special educational needs school places
• Multi-million-pound leisure refurbishments at Pods and Riddings & Quibell Park
• Investment in Scunthorpe community centres
• Development of the Ashby Hub
• Tree-planting target increased to 750,000
• Free swimming during Easter and summer holidays for children and young people
• Free books for all children up to the age of five
• Free car parking in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe
• Continued support for the Armed Forces community
• Weekly brown bin collections with no additional charge
• £5m for flood protection across the Isle and along the Humber bank
• Completion of the Burringham Bypass
• Expansion of Sir John Mason House, adding five new rooms

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