Warwickshire County Council has finally set its budget for 2026-27 – but only after another unedifying squabble which saw Reform UK and the Conservatives axe the debate after one interrupted speech.

The Reform administration opened with its proposal to limit the rise in the county's portion of council tax to 3.89 per cent but having seen that voted down for a second time, emerged from talks with the Tories with a 4.44 per cent rise which the two parties came together to get through. 

It will result in an £80.91-per-year rise for an average (Band D) property.

The Liberal Democrats and Green Party coalesced around a 4.80 per cent increase and plans to invest in youth services, sustainable transport and the protection of climate initiatives.

What's been saved… and what hasn't

The two blue camps thrashed out a deal that spared youth services from cuts building up to £280,000 per year over the next three years, also saving pre-school autism diagnostic funding that had been set for a £29,000 cut from April this year.

Extra income was passed up by freezing on-street parking permit charges for residents while cutting £90,000 per year from staffing costs on the county's climate team, followed by a further £30,000 per year from April 2027. 

The five-year financial plan is still reliant on making savings of more than £100 million per year by 2030-31 with £4.2 million of that – £2.7 million of which kicks in from April 2028 – still unidentified and in need of "further scoping".

The Tories managed to gain a win on extra funding for gulley cleaning, £180,000 per year to get them done every two years rather than three to help prevent flooding. 

Lowest-value homes will save… nine pence per week

The difference between the actual council tax rise and the level that the Lib Dems and Greens proposed to set it at this time will save an average Band D household £7.34 across the whole year – those in lowest-banded homes will save £4.44 per year, or just shy of nine pence per week.

That seemingly minor difference dominated the initial debate with Lib Dems and Greens arguing for investing in the future, while Reform and the Tories made the case for taking as little as possible and not overstretching finite resources with new projects at a time when demand for mandatory services like social care is still climbing.

After the best part of two hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations, political battle lines quickly got drawn again with councillors arbitrarily turning on microphones or shouting across the chamber to interrupt each other. 

The 'debate'

Deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance and property Cllr Stephen Shaw said precious little in putting forward the new proposals.

Introducing the 4.44 per cent, he said: "Happy with that, guys? Yeah?

"Also, youth grants are back in. Happy with that?"

There were cheers from the other side of the chamber to which he replied: "Thank you very much, over to Councillor Kettle."

Cllr Chris Kettle formally seconded Reform's revised plan having been at the heart of negotiations throughout and reserved his right to speak.

Cllr Sarah Boad then kicked off what was expected to be the debate, albeit amid some confusion over whether she was proposing an amendment.

She referred back to earlier comments from leader Cllr George Finch about residents in deprived areas struggling to make ends meet. 

"Those poor people in Nuneaton are going to pay some more council tax now, aren't they," she said of Reform's movement on council tax rates.

Several voices cut in with Cllr Finch asking if it was an amendment while another voice – it was not clearly identified who it was or who it was directed at – weighed in with a "shut up".

Cllr Shaw asked Cllr Boad: "Are we flipping this again, are we? Are we flipping this?"

Cllr Boad sought to continue.

"Can I just say we are delighted to see the youth services grant come back in despite some comments that were made earlier," she said, before Cllr Finch turned on his microphone to ask: "Is this an amendment, chair, or is this just her talking again?"

Amid a muddled back and forth, cabinet member Cllr Mike Bannister requested that the new proposals be voted on without further debate.

"Can I finish my speech? Which I believe I am allowed to make," asked Cllr Boad. Cllr Bannister replied: "I don't think you are entitled to a speech."

Cllr Boad was eventually allowed to continue and said: "I wanted to welcome the youth services grant coming back in and pay tribute to the people here from Wolston and Cubbington who have come to watch the debate.

"They will be very pleased about the money that the county council – hopefully – will continue to give them to support the very valuable youth work that is going on all over the county."

Cllr Bannister then proposed to move to the vote again and secured backing by 24 votes to 21 – all Reform and Conservative councillors present voted to stop the discussion with the Lib Dems, Greens, Labour and independent Cllr Judy Falp wanting to continue. 

"Let's stop the debate and democracy," commented Cllr Kate Rolfe. 

Cllr Keith Kondakor tried to raise a point of order but was halted by chair Cllr Dale Keeling following a prompt from chief executive Monica Fogarty. 

Cllr Kondakor asked: "Are you going to stop me speaking again?" Ms Fogarty replied: "Councillor Kondakor, there is no point of order."

The council's standing orders state: "An elected member may raise a point of order at any time. 

"A point of order may only relate to an alleged breach of standing orders or the law. The elected member must cite the rule or law and the way in which they consider it has been broken. 

"The ruling of the chair on the matter will be final."

Cllr Kondakor was not asked to articulate or justify his point of order. He later made a point during the vote, saying: "We should have a debate on the new proposal. I have to vote against because we have to have a proper debate."

Nevertheless, it cut straight to the vote with all Reform and Conservative councillors agreeing to their joint effort with the Lib Dems and Greens voting against and Labour and Cllr Falp abstaining – not voting either way.