Investment boost proposed as Council budget tops £1 billion for first time
Proposals have been set out for how the Council will invest £17 million extra to improve Manchester’s neighbourhoods – and the quality of life of the city’s residents.
The extra boost is part of the Council’s overall revenue budget to run services and improve the city which for 2026/27 will be £1.025 billion, the first time it has ever topped £1 billion.
Manchester received one of the highest cash boosts from Government in the local government settlement, and the Council made a commitment to put this investment into frontline services focused on making a noticeable difference to the things which Mancunians care about.
The increased spending on key services has largely been made possible by the Council’s improved financial position following the introduction of fair funding by the current Government. This restores the principle that the amount of money councils are given should be linked to the level of challenges and needs in their area. That link was severed by the Coalition Government elected in 2010 and saw Manchester among the places hardest hit by cuts and unfunded budget pressures.
While pressures remain after so many years of cuts, the improved funding creates the opportunity not just to protect frontline services but to invest in making them better, and restoring some of the things which were affected by austerity.
Headline additional investment proposals include:
£5.13 million to significantly enhance street cleaning services across the city (£2.145 million extra in 2026/27, rising to an annual budget increase of £5.13m by 2028/29) taking the overall street cleaning budget for next year to £10.6 million)
Plus almost £1 million for measures to further crack down on flytipping and littering and improve waste collection and removal (£774,000 in 2026/27 rising to £1 million a year by 2028/29)
More than £1.7m to boost the maintenance of public spaces, especially parks and green spaces
An extra £3.2m to continue investing in improving the look and feel of local neighbourhoods through the Council’s Neighbourhood Infrastructure Renewal Fund (from 2027/28) – £100,000 each for the city’s 32 wards. Previous funding has been spent on new litter bins, child’s play equipment and parks for example.
One-off investments of £1.1 million in 2026/27 to improve road, pavement and path surfaces and £500,000 to increase pavement and footpath gritting in local centres, bringing the total highways budget to £20.7 million.
A £550,000 a year budget increase to improve drainage and gully cleaning to help reduce flooding.
Expanding plans to get Manchester people moving with £1.47 million on a range of schemes to improve access to, and involvement in, sports and physical activity for Manchester people such as plans to expand free swimming for under 16s and over 60s.
Extra investment in libraries across the city, including proposals to roll out Sunday opening in 8 libraries and further support for existing community-run libraries in council-owned buildings. Some £580,000 of this would begin from 2027/28.
An extra boost for community and celebration events with £350,000 each year for community events, such as fireworks displays at three main parks and smaller community events PLUS £250,000 a year to enhance the Manchester Community Event Fund to help more communities put on their own events.
An extra £500,000 to help support the extensive investment which is already taking place in local high streets and district centres across the city – and new schemes which are on the way.
A cash boost for voluntary and community group spending, with an extra £500,000 each year to further increase the Council’s support for the sector in recognition of the work they do to support Manchester people, on top of the millions already spent with the sector.
Increased support for residents facing cost of living pressures, with cash payments to help with bills, free school meals for children in the school holidays and support with housing
A renters rights bill team to help residents in the private rented sector with the new legal protections coming into place.
More investment into youth services, new youth centres, and activities to do in the holidays
Capital investment to build even more council and social homes
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “After years of central government cuts to our funding, Manchester can finally start to build back investment into our frontline services. We’ve made a commitment that extra cash will go to the priorities set by our residents and that we’ll spend money on the things that matter in our neighbourhoods.
“Every resident should be proud of where they live and we all want a city that is cleaner, tidier, well cared for with well-looked after parks and local high streets. That’s why we’re investing more in cleaning the streets, clamping down on flytipping, looking after our roads and foothpaths and making sure our high streets get the support they need.
“From 2011, Government cuts forced reductions to our libraries. We’re proud of our 23 libraries and we’re expanding opening times and increasing investment. We’re investing in youth services, and things for young people to do alongside crucial services to keep our children safe and well. We’re expanding free swimming for under-16s and over-65s, alongside an exciting new package to help more people get active.
“From building more council and social housing to boosting cost of living support, this budget will make a big difference to Manchester, giving hope and confidence as we go even further to improve our city.”
