Wiltshire Council shares first quarter budget monitoring and reaffirms commitment to sound financial planning

Wiltshire Council has published its first quarterly revenue and capital budget monitoring reports for the 2025/26 financial year, reaffirming its commitment to proactive financial management and the continued delivery of essential services across the county.

The net revenue budget for 2025/26, approved by Full Council, stands at £527.420 million, supporting vital services for residents, businesses, and communities, and enabling the council to meet the priorities outlined in its business plan. The budget also includes a savings target of more than £15 million.

As of the end of June 2025, the council is forecasting a net overspend of £6.510 million for year end – that is 1.2% of the council’s net budget for this year. The report highlights that this early-year variance will be managed within the financial year. Cost control measures introduced last year remain in place, and further mitigations are being implemented to ensure the council continues to deliver high-quality services and provide good value for money while operating within the budget.

The report acknowledges ongoing financial pressures, including continuing higher levels of inflation and changes to Employers National Insurance rates, introduced after this year’s budget was set. While these are being effectively managed, the impact on Adult Social Care providers has led to increased service costs and a resulting overspend in the Adult Social Care budget.

Demand is rising in both adult and children’s services driven by a combination of more people needing complex care and market constraints. Nevertheless, the council’s preventative approach in adult social care has helped keep the number of people needing funded support steady, and the council expects that to continue through 2025/26.

Positive financial highlights include a £1.501 million operating surplus on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), successful receipt of National Landscapes grant funding, and the strategic use of reserves to support initiatives in the arts and air quality.

The council is also investing in supported accommodation for care-experienced young people, reducing reliance on costly out-of-county placements. Cabinet will be asked to approve an earmarked reserve to fund temporary posts overseeing contract management and quality assurance in this area.

The council has also published its capital budget monitoring report, outlining progress on its capital programme for 2025/26. The revised capital budget now stands at £245.7m, down from £253.9m when the budget was set, reflecting adjustments made to align with project delivery timelines and funding changes.

As of 30 June 2025, £30.2 million has already been invested in key infrastructure and service improvements – approximately 12% of the capital programme.

Key investment highlights from the capital report include:

• £28.5 million of investment in schools and education facilities, including £15m on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities facilities
• £44 million investment in the Council House build programme and refurbishment of homes
• In excess of £42 million of investment in highways and footpaths
• Nearly £10 million of continued investment in the A350 Chippenham Bypass
• £21 million in leisure provision
   

Cllr Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This early forecast reflects our commitment to responsible financial planning providing both good value for money and outstanding services for our residents, plus our ability to adapt in a changing environment. It is vitally important we closely monitor finances against a very challenging backdrop of spending pressures. Like all local authorities, we are facing increased costs, and we want to balance the books while ensuring we continue to provide high-quality services that everyone deserves.

“We regularly review projects to ensure spending plans are achievable and funding needs are well understood. This helps inform future budget decisions and supports strong financial planning. We continue to be committed to sound financial management, good value for money and transparency, ensuring that capital investments continue to support vital services and long-term growth across Wiltshire. Overall, our strong foundations and forward-thinking approach give us confidence in our ability to deliver a balanced budget and maintain long-term financial resilience.”