Posted on Wednesday 14th January 2026
Staffordshire County Council is aiming to deliver more for residents and businesses, protect key frontline services and meet its legal duty to balance the books – all with one of the lowest county council taxes in England.
Martin Murray, Acting Leader for the Council, today vowed to keep the council tax rise lower than many other councils at 3.99 per cent and to press on with ambitious plans to make the county the Beating Heart of the Country.
Martin said:
“As our plans prove today, we are a well-run, financially sound county council and, despite the huge financial pressures on local government, we are committed to keeping our promises to do more for this great county and the residents and businesses we serve.”
At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday) to discuss the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026-2031, members heard spending plans include:
- For Motorists - an extra £15m to fix potholes and improve the county’s highways
- For Children – an extra £5.5m to recruit almost 120 staff to help keep vulnerable babies and youngsters safe
- For Schools - Plans include a town centre site to welcome a school’s sixth form students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- For the Countryside - this year marks the first year of a major £18m investment drive to reinvent Chasewater, Cannock Chase Discovery Centre and Revitalising Staffordshire Way
- For Libraries - £5m to continuing to transform libraries into community hubs
Martin added:
"And this is just the beginning. There is more, so much more that we want to do for this fantastic county.
With Local Government Reorganisation moving ever closer it is important that we send a clear message that we are committed to delivering the best for Staffordshire and the county is in safe, responsible financial hands.
I am proud that Staffordshire is delivering a balanced budget despite financial pressures out of our control. These include the growing national funding crisis for social care and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – which we continue to press Government on for a solution.
The council’s strong financial position is undoubtedly a testament to the hard work of dedicated staff in finance, in children’s services, in adults’ care and indeed from across the council.”
Although the Government had an expectation of a 4.99 per cent rise by councils, Staffordshire is proposing to keep it as low as possible at 3.99 per cent.
This is comprised of a 1.99 per cent general increase and two per cent ringfenced for social care. If approved, Staffordshire is likely to remain one of the lowest county council taxes in England and the increase equals £1.24 a week for a Band D property.
The proposals will now be presented to Full Council in February for a final decision.