Message from the leader of the council

Dear resident, 
 
We deliver over 1,800 local services all year round. Including collecting your bins, maintaining your roads, and running your parks. We care for our most vulnerable residents, support our children and families, and improve our environment. 
 
It’s been a challenging few years for people right across our district with the rising cost of living. And at the same time our public services have been under a lot of pressure trying to meet rising demand. 
 
We’ve managed Council finances very responsibly over the years and are in a strong position. But we’re not immune to the impact of inflation, and in particular to the growing demand for services like adult and children’s social care. 
 
In response to this challenge we’re working hard every day to be more efficient. To protect the frontline services that you rely on the most. And to increase our income, including from external sources outside our area. 
 
By doing that we will make sure that the Council is here when you need us. And that we can continue to invest in the things that matter to you the most. 
 
To show the positive impact of our long-term planning, and our the responsible and sustainable decisions we’ve made, in 2025-26 we expect Wakefield to have the lowest Council Tax anywhere in West Yorkshire. 
 
But we know that Council Tax is still a significant cost for people right across our communities. We’re working intensively in everything we do to provide the best possible value for money so that we can continue to make our area an even better place to live, work and visit.
 
We’re also working constructively with the new Government which has a refreshed approach to working with local Councils. We’ve been successful at bringing in external funding in the past, but this has often come with too many strings attached. So we’re working with them to give our local area more control over these budgets so we can invest where it can make the biggest difference. 
 
Our budget this year sets us up for a positive future. It will enable us to focus every day on your priorities. And it will help us to provide you with the best value for money in everything the Council does.
 
Thank you to everyone who is working with us to build a brighter future for our amazing district.
 
Best Wishes, 
 
Cllr Denise Jeffery