After the news before Christmas that the Labour government is delivering some £14 million more into Rotherham Council’s budget than was expected under the Tories, this week we’ve set out our plans to invest in services, keep down council tax increases – and keep our commitments to the borough.

Thanks to an additional £1.3 billion in government funding for councils, Rotherham will benefit from a £14 million boost in 2025/26—one of the largest funding increases for local councils in the country. While this extra funding is welcome, it comes against the backdrop of years of austerity, inflation, and growing pressures on local services.

Our headline proposals include:

• Improving Community Safety
  £570,000 to launch a new ‘Street Safe Team’ focused on increasing safety in town and village centres. This uniformed team will target areas including Rotherham Town Centre, and the principal towns of Dinnington, Wath, Maltby and Swinton, using local intelligence to tackle issues and offer a reassuring and familiar point of contact for residents and visitors.
• Creating Job Opportunities
  £718,000 to make permanent the Employment Solutions programme, which has already helped over 1,250 residents into work or training since its launch in 2020. This initiative focuses on supporting those who face the greatest barriers to employment, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive local economy.
• Cleaner Streets
  £307,000 to establish a new team dedicated to roadside cleansing, with a focus on popular routes and key gateways, backed by additional capacity to ensure a smarter, more targeted approach. This investment will increase maintenance frequency and support road sign cleaning, responding to resident feedback that identified cleaner streets as a top priority.
• Flood Protection for Catcliffe
  £6 million for the Catcliffe Village Flood Alleviation Scheme, aimed at reducing flood risks by improving the flow path of the River Rother. If approved, the project is expected to be delivered within three to five years, providing much-needed protection for affected residents.
• Road and Pavement Upgrades
  An estimated additional £2 million of government funding to improve roads and pavements across the borough, along with an extra £100,000 to refresh worn road markings on key routes and estates. These improvements will enhance safety and accessibility for all road users.
• Free Parking Initiative
  £50,000 to offer free parking for the first hour in Council-operated car parks in the town centre. This scheme aims to support local businesses, boost footfall, and encourage residents to shop locally.

The budget will also meet the continued increase in demand for, and the cost of providing, Adult Social Care services, with a budgeted increase of £17m to support residents who rely on these services.

The Council is proposing a 3% Council Tax increase, which is once again expected to be one of the lower increases in the Yorkshire region.

Councillor Chris Read, said: “This year’s funding settlement is one of the largest increases for councils in over a decade, placing Rotherham among the top 12 nationally for funding growth. After years of cuts under the Tories, it is a very welcome change of direction. However significant challenges remain, and we remain focused on delivering for our residents.

“Our budget reflects our commitment to meeting the priorities that Rotherham residents have set out for us in numerous public consultations over the last few years—investing in vital services, supporting communities, increasing the economic opportunities open to local people and improving the look and feel of our communities.”