Warrington Borough Council looks to stabilise its finances

Image: Warrington has significant advanced manufacturing and nuclear industries located within its boundaries - Birchwood Park business park above was once the site of a Royal Ordnance armaments plant

Last month, Warrington Borough Council says it scrutinised it savings plan and this was considered by all councillors.

The council’s Scrutiny Committee initially met to consider and examine the savings proposals in early September. This was followed by Cabinet approving the savings plan later that month. The savings plan then received endorsement from Full Council.

In March 2026, the council reported an overall budget gap of £179 million up to 2029/30. The £51.2 million savings plan is alongside £39 million of savings that the council previously approved, taking the overall amount of identified savings so far, to around £90 million.

Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Denis Matthews, said: “We continue to face a significant financial challenge, but this second phase of approved savings supports our work to enable the council to become financially stable.

“We are making progress to move the council in a new direction. Bringing forward this credible savings plan is all about us supporting a new, more sustainable, and simplified financial future for the council.

“However, we also know that realising the overall £90 million of identified savings will continue to require very difficult decisions about the services we are able to provide in future.

“This process is going to be challenging, but it is doable. Many other councils have been through similar journeys, and we will learn from those experiences.

“Ultimately, it is our ambition to continue providing the best possible services, but within budget. As a council, we will still provide a good level of day-to-day services that people expect, while also making sure our most vulnerable residents get the support they need. That means that we will keep emptying bins, filling potholes, cutting grass and looking after people – albeit we will need to balance providing good day-to-day services with other difficult service decisions.”