The County Council of Warwickshire Council met on Tuesday 17 February 2026 to discuss and vote on the 2026/27 budget and the 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy. Key decisions included the adoption of a 3.89% council tax increase, comprising a 1.89% core increase and a 2% adult social care levy, and the approval of a £740.028 million capital programme. The council also approved the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy for 2026/27.

2026/27 Budget and 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy

The council debated and ultimately voted on the 2026/27 budget and the 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Councillor Stephen Shaw, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, proposed the Reform Budget, which included a 3.89% council tax increase. This budget aimed to maintain financial resilience while addressing significant pressures in adult social care, children's social care, and home-to-school transport.

Councillor Sarah Boad, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, presented an alternative collaborative budget proposal. This alternative budget focused on investing in the next generation, building resilience against environmental change, and maintaining the public network of roads and transport. Councillor Boad argued for increased investment in children and family centres, youth grants, and safer walking routes to schools, proposing a 4.8% council tax rise.

The debate highlighted differing priorities regarding council tax levels and service funding. Councillor Michael Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, argued against the collaborative budget, stating it was financially overextended and placed unnecessary burdens on taxpayers. Councillor Adrian Warwick, Leader of the Conservative Group, also voiced concerns about the proposed council tax increase, advocating for lower increases to support residents.

Ultimately, the amendment proposed by Councillor Boad was lost with 19 votes for and 24 against. The substantive proposal for the budget was also lost with 16 votes for, 28 against, and 1 abstention. Following this, a further amendment was proposed by Councillor Briggs, suggesting a 4.44% council tax increase and the reinstatement of youth grants. This amendment was carried with 24 votes for, 21 against, and 3 abstentions.

Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy

The council also considered the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy for 2026/27. Councillor Stephen Shaw presented the report, outlining how the council would manage its borrowing and investments to ensure financial operations and capital spending were maintained. The strategy was updated to reflect the government's confirmation of the High Needs Stability Grant, which increases the council's cash balances and affects liquidity and borrowing requirements.

Councillor James Crocker spoke against the Treasury Strategy, advocating for a focus on small businesses and expressing concerns about the risks associated with large property investments. He proposed voting against the strategy and considering an extension of projects for small businesses while discontinuing the property fund.

Despite Councillor Crocker's objections, the Treasury Management Strategy was approved with 41 votes for, 4 against, and no abstentions.

Any Other Items of Urgent Business

No other items of urgent business were notified to the Chair.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The council resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the remaining item on the agenda, which involved the consideration of exempt minutes from a previous meeting held on 16 December 2025. This exclusion was based on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.