Councillors agreed the budget at the Full Council meeting on 18 February. The balanced budget has been achieved through financial planning, continued service transformation and targeted investment in priority areas.
Funding has been outlined for 11 projects to support town centre regeneration. This includes exploring options for the council to take control of the Rugby Central shopping centre and the Brotherhood House site.
The budget reflects continued work to modernise services, make better use of digital technology and improve customer services, enabling the council to deliver investment in priority areas while maintaining financial stability.
Provision has been made for the continuation of the Love Rugby Festival, following its successful launch in 2025 to 2026, together with other town centre events and activities.
Additionally, there is funding to support services previously provided by Rugby First, including street cleansing and community safety.
The approved budget introduces a new Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, which aims to make communities across Rugby greener and more connected.
The programme will support improvements to planting in urban areas, led by Garden Organic, better information on accessibility to help residents plan visits to public spaces and buildings, allotment grants, and work to increase engagement on climate change.
Funding is also included to strengthen voluntary and community organisations across the borough, including the Percival Guildhouse, Hoskyn Centre, Rugby Ecohub and the relaunched Rugby Disability Forum.
The programme also includes a new councillor grant scheme. Each ward councillor will receive £3,000 to support local projects, such as tackling fly tipping, antisocial behaviour and littering, or supporting community groups and green spaces.
Amid ongoing financial pressures across local government, councillors approved an increase of £6.61 per year for an average Band D property, equivalent to a 2.99 percent rise in Rugby Borough Council’s share of council tax for 2026 to 2027. Most households in the borough pay less than this, with 65 percent in Bands A to C.
Warwickshire County Council has now set its budget and council tax precept for 2026-2027 and accounts for around three quarters of the total council tax bill. Rugby Borough Council retains approximately eight pence in every pound of council tax collected, with the rest funding Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police and local parish councils.
Councillors noted recent improvements in the council’s performance across several services. This includes improved response times and satisfaction within the Customer Services Centre, alongside continued work to develop the overall customer journey for residents across the borough, as well as strengthened performance in housing services. The improvements reflect ongoing work to enhance service delivery for residents.
Cllr Michael Moran, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “Since becoming Leader in 2024, I have focused on laying the groundwork to make real improvements to the town centre to support businesses and our regeneration plans.
“Our Liveable Neighbourhoods programme will help improve communities across the borough, and I am particularly proud that we are investing in grants that go directly to local sports clubs, community groups and allotment associations. We want to help residents get out and about, supporting both their physical and mental health.”
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Chair of the Rugby Town Centre Working Group, said: “It is very clear that we need to continue to invest in the town centre, through physical changes that make the town more attractive and through events and activities.
“That must remain a focus for the council, and I am pleased that this budget continues that support.”
The budget was approved by Full Council on 18 February 2026.