Councillors approve Council Tax rise and investment plans for the year ahead
Councillors have agreed Falkirk Council’s budget for 2026/27, including a rise in Council Tax and a significant programme of investment in services, buildings and local infrastructure at its meeting yesterday (5 March 2026).
The agreed budget sets out how the Council will continue to fund day-to-day services while still investing in priorities identified by communities.
Council Tax will increase by 8.77% overall, made up of 6.27% for services and 2.5% to support capital investment in roads, buildings, schools, gyms and other assets. For a Band D household, this will mean paying £1,715.09 per year, which is equivalent to a £2.66 a week increase.
Around 13,750 households in Falkirk receive Council Tax Reduction and will not see their bills increase.
The agreed budget also proposes key areas of investment including:
- Additional funding for health and social care services through the Integration Joint Board
- Support for work tackling child poverty and gender-based violence
- Expansion of family support services, including weekend coverage
- Creation of a Clean and Green team to tackle litter, fly-tipping and environmental maintenance
- Funding to support the learning estate review and future school planning.
The budget has allowed for an additional £75.9m for the capital programme and this will be in addition to other proposed spending (to be presented at meeting of the Council later in March 26).
Projects that could be supported if approved through the programme are expected to include Carrongrange Additional Support Needs School, a new gym facility in Denny, investment in the Grangemouth Sports Complex and Mariner Centre, and continued development of plans for the new Falkirk Town Hall.
Funding previously held within service concession reserves could now be committed to major projects, including the Falkirk Town Hall development and a capital contingency fund to support large-scale building works if approved.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, said:
We know this continues to be a very challenging time for public finances. The cost of delivering essential services is rising and demand for support, particularly in areas such as social care and family services, remains high.
“This budget sets out a balanced and responsible financial plan. It protects the services that many residents rely on while allowing us to invest in the condition of our buildings, roads and public spaces and in the wellbeing of our communities.
“Falkirk has received one of the higher funding increases from the Scottish Government this year, which has helped put the Council in a stronger position than in previous years. By planning carefully and identifying savings through operational efficiencies, we have been able to avoid relying on one-off measures to balance the budget.
“The approach we have taken spreads the responsibility across savings, investment and Council Tax decisions. It means we can continue to support our most vulnerable residents while also investing in the places where people live.
“The budget includes additional funding for social care, work to tackle child poverty and gender-based violence, and expanded family support services. It also creates a new, clean and green team to respond to concerns residents have raised about litter, fly-tipping and the appearance of local areas.
“We are also committing significant capital investment in our infrastructure. We hope this could include improvements to roads and street lighting, investment in schools and community facilities, and progress on projects such as the new Falkirk Town Hall and leisure facilities across the area.
“These are long-term investments that will support our communities and local services for many years.
“We recognise that any increase in Council Tax has an impact on household budgets. Support remains in place through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for people on lower incomes, and many households will not see their bills increase.
“Taken together, this budget aims to protect essential services, invest in communities and place the Council on a more sustainable financial footing for the years ahead.