Wiltshire Council records underspend and highest capital spend

Wiltshire Council reported an underspend of £846,000 for the 2025/26 financial year alongside a record capital spend of nearly £201m, according to end-of-year financial reports to be presented to the Finance and Procurement Select Committee on June 23 and the cabinet on June 25.

Councillor Gavin Grant, cabinet member for finance at Wiltshire Council, said: "Our biggest responsibility as a council is to ensure we manage our finances efficiently and driving value for money for our tax payers, creating a strong position to deliver quality services.

"This focus means I’m delighted to say that we have finished the financial year in a positive position, a great result, particularly given the ongoing challenges facing all local authorities.

"Alongside this, we have invested heavily in Wiltshire’s infrastructure and future, delivering more than ever before, from building homes and improving roads to investing in schools."

The £846,000 underspend represents an improvement of £601,000 on the council’s quarter-three forecast.

Cabinet has proposed that £600,000 of the underspend be transferred to reserves for early help for children and families, and £246,000 to communities.

The council’s capital programme saw nearly £201m invested during the year, up from £177m in 2024/25, and equating to 95 per cent of the programme being delivered.

Key projects included:

• Major improvements to the A350 Chippenham Bypass
• Progress on Trowbridge Leisure Centre
• Expansion of schools and SEND provision
• Delivery of 76 new affordable homes
• 40 completed drainage schemes
• Over 102 miles of road resurfaced
• 13,746 potholes repaired

The council achieved more than £13m in planned savings and has earmarked £9.3m in reserves to support financial resilience, subject to cabinet approval.

However, the council continues to face pressures in adult and children’s social care, with both reporting overspends due to rising demand and increasingly complex cases.

This included higher costs for children in care placements and SEND transport and provision.

Like many other councils, Wiltshire is also managing pressures in its Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block.

Through its Safety Valve agreement, it is working with the government and progressing its High Needs Sustainability Plan.

Of the planned savings for 2025/26, £13.1m were achieved, though £2.3m were not delivered.

Wherever possible, these unmet savings have now been included within the 2026/27 financial plans.

The council’s Treasury Management Outturn Report confirmed that borrowing and investment remain in line with the approved strategy.