Enfield Council has agreed a balanced and strong budget for 2026/27 at its Full Council meeting on 26 February, with a continued focus on delivering high-quality public services and building a safer, cleaner and more affordable borough.
For the first time in 15 years, there will be no reductions to the essential, frontline services and support Enfield residents rely on.
The budget follows the government’s improved funding to Enfield, which recognises the real levels of local challenges including deprivation and housing concerns. This is after years of underfunding from previous governments.
As a result, the Council will see a significant increase in funding over the next three years. Enfield was previously ranked as the seventh most underfunded local authority in the country according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies.
Grant funding from the government is forecast to increase by £55 million between 2025/26 and 2026/27. The agreed budget sets a net revenue budget of £439 million for 2026/27.
In the coming year, Enfield Council will be spending £11.3m on keeping our parks and open spaces clean and tidy and £49.2m on keeping our street clean including combatting the scourge of fly-tipping suffered by all boroughs. We will also continue to work closely with the Police to create a safer Enfield with £5.2m to be spent on tackling crime and antisocial behaviour. £213.4m will be spent on caring for our most vulnerable adults and £101.2m on vulnerable children and young people, including caring through fostering and adoption.
Cllr Tim Leaver, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “This is a positive and important moment for Enfield. The new Fair Funding Settlement finally recognises the needs of our borough and gives us the stability to plan for the future.
“While we must remain disciplined and achieve efficiencies, this budget protects the most important services residents rely on and allows us to invest in prevention, housing and local jobs.
“Despite years of underfunding, we continue to achieve high-quality services and improve our borough. This budget puts us in a stronger position to build a safer, cleaner and more affordable Enfield for everyone.”
The new Fair Funding Settlement means the Council has not requested any Exceptional Financial Support for next year. It also provides greater certainty to plan ahead. This includes investing in early intervention, supporting vulnerable residents, building more homes and creating more jobs.
Despite the improved funding position, the Council continues to face tough and rising cost pressures. These include rising demand in adult social care (£19.3 million), children’s social care (£6 million), temporary accommodation (£5.4 million) and inflation costs.
To ensure long-term financial strength, the Council will deliver £12 million in efficiencies and income generation in 2026/27, improving how services are delivered while protecting frontline support.