Budget 2026-27: Business Consultation

This Survey is now closed

This consultation is for stakeholders in the Wirral business community. Please only complete this survey if you are a member of the business community and have been invited to contribute, thank you.

Wirral Council is at a crossroads. Demand for vital services, particularly adult and children’s social care, has soared in recent years. These are not optional services; there are statutory duties that we are legally required to deliver, and they remain our highest priority. This includes safeguarding vulnerable children, providing adult social care, addressing the educational needs of children with special needs, and maintaining essential public health services.

However, the funding we receive has not kept pace with this growing need coupled with inflation. The reality is stark: the council simply does not, and will not, have the resources to continue delivering services in the way we have done before.

We are working hard to modernise and streamline operations, driving major transformations to manage costs wherever possible. But these efforts alone cannot close the gap. It is becoming increasingly clear that further savings must be found, and this will mean making difficult decisions.

Like councils across the country, we are facing unprecedented levels of demand, creating intolerable pressure on our ability to stay within budget. To set a balanced budget for the coming year, very tough choices lie ahead. Wirral is not alone in this challenge — local authorities everywhere are being forced to review their priorities and core purpose. That’s why we want to hear from you: tell us what matters most to you and which services you value most.

This Survey is now closed

This consultation is for stakeholders in the Wirral business community. Please only complete this survey if you are a member of the business community and have been invited to contribute, thank you.

Wirral Council is at a crossroads. Demand for vital services, particularly adult and children’s social care, has soared in recent years. These are not optional services; there are statutory duties that we are legally required to deliver, and they remain our highest priority. This includes safeguarding vulnerable children, providing adult social care, addressing the educational needs of children with special needs, and maintaining essential public health services.

However, the funding we receive has not kept pace with this growing need coupled with inflation. The reality is stark: the council simply does not, and will not, have the resources to continue delivering services in the way we have done before.

We are working hard to modernise and streamline operations, driving major transformations to manage costs wherever possible. But these efforts alone cannot close the gap. It is becoming increasingly clear that further savings must be found, and this will mean making difficult decisions.

Like councils across the country, we are facing unprecedented levels of demand, creating intolerable pressure on our ability to stay within budget. To set a balanced budget for the coming year, very tough choices lie ahead. Wirral is not alone in this challenge — local authorities everywhere are being forced to review their priorities and core purpose. That’s why we want to hear from you: tell us what matters most to you and which services you value most.

Page last updated: 26 Jan 2026, 09:53 AM