Neath Port Talbot Council’s proposed budget for 2026/27 is set to deliver a record level of investment in schools and protect vital front‑line services at a time of continuing financial pressures.
If approved, the £428 million budget would support essential day‑to‑day services, from maintaining roads and educating thousands of children to caring for vulnerable people and collecting household waste, while keeping the council tax increase among the lowest in Wales.
The proposals include an additional £7 million to support pupils with additional learning needs, alongside a further £330,000 for building maintenance, which will include improvements to school facilities.
Other key highlights and additional investments include:
- Continuing to deliver key grant‑funded developments that support the local economy, including the building of new schools, the redevelopment of the Princess Royal Theatre to create new event spaces, and the construction of a specialist research facility for the steels and metals industry
- £4.768 million to support adults and children with additional care needs.
- £100,000 for playground maintenance, supporting the council’s £2.5 million Playground Improvement Programme announced last year.
- £170,000 to improve the management of Aberavon Seafront, including a programme of activities.
- Maintaining two weekly household waste collections and ensuring that green waste collection remains free of charge.
The report explains that, despite a 4.2% funding increase from Welsh Government, the council initially faced a budget gap of £16.6 million for 2026/27. However, changes to local government pension scheme contributions, alongside the identification of more than 40 savings and income‑generation proposals, have reduced this shortfall to £2.785 million. To close the remaining gap while continuing to protect essential services, the council is proposing a 3.5% council tax increase for 2026/27. This would be equivalent to an average increase of £1.15 per week and would be one of the lowest council tax increases in Wales.
Councillor Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “If approved, the proposed budget would include a £7 million investment to support pupils with additional learning needs, alongside further proposed investment to support adults and children with additional care needs, maintain playgrounds, and help protect a wide range of essential services that residents rely on every day.
“The proposals also set out continued investment in key developments intended to help grow the local economy and support communities across Neath Port Talbot.
“We are mindful that many families are still feeling the pressure of rising costs, which is why the proposals aim to keep the council tax increase as low as possible, which would be among the lowest in Wales.”
A public consultation on the draft proposals took place between 15 January and 11 February 2026, with 616 responses received. The consultation asked residents for their views on the proposed council tax increase and how the council could address the budget gap.
The consultation contained a wide range of feedback, including the importance residents place on protecting essential services, particularly those supporting children, education, vulnerable groups and front line services. The findings of the consultation have informed the final proposals being presented to Cabinet.
The report will be considered by Cabinet when it meets on Wednesday 4 March and Council on Thursday 5 March.
