Ealing Council Unveils 2026 Budget with Major Enforcement and Community Investments
Ealing Council has announced its comprehensive budget for the 2026 financial year, featuring a significant focus on tackling environmental crime and antisocial behaviour while implementing a council tax increase. The West London borough is set to introduce a specialised 'hit squad' to combat fly-tipping, expand its CCTV network, and launch a new uniformed street enforcement team.
New Enforcement Measures to Target Fly-Tipping and Crime
The council will invest £510,000 to establish 'Tidy Teams', a dedicated fly-tipping response unit that will operate across Ealing's seven towns. This initiative aims to crack down on illegal dumping, particularly in hotspots like Southall, which has been identified as a problem area.
Additionally, £540,000 has been allocated to pilot a new touring household recycling service. This innovative programme will feature a schedule of mega skips deployed throughout the borough, helping residents reduce waste sent to landfill and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Enhanced Surveillance and Street Presence
A key component of the budget is the expansion of the CCTV camera network with 50 new redeployable cameras, costing £860,000. These cameras will be strategically placed in areas known for crime, antisocial behaviour, and fly-tipping, providing flexible monitoring capabilities.
Supporting this technological upgrade will be a new uniformed Street Enforcement Team, designed to serve as an active and visible deterrent to criminal activities. The team will work in conjunction with the CCTV network to enhance public safety across the borough.
Council Tax Increase and Financial Context
Ealing residents will face a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax following the expected approval of the budget in early March. This rise includes a 2.99% base increase plus a 2% social care surcharge. The new rates will affect properties across all bands:
- Band A: £1,085.34 per year (increase of £51.58)
- Band B: £1,266.24 per year (increase of £60.18)
- Band C: £1,447.13 per year (increase of £68.78)
- Band D: £1,628.02 per year (increase of £77.38)
- Band E: £1,989.79 per year (increase of £94.57)
- Band F: £2,351.58 per year (increase of £111.77)
- Band G: £2,713.36 per year (increase of £128.96)
- Band H: £3,256.03 per year (increase of £154.75)
Councillor Steve Donnelly, Cabinet Member for an Inclusive Economy, emphasised that despite the increase, council tax remains relatively lower than when Ealing Labour took office 16 years ago. He stated, "We are only able to make these proposals for investment because we have run an efficient council year after year. This means it is around £175 lower than it would have been if it had simply risen in line with inflation since 2010."
Additional Community and Safety Investments
The budget also includes £200,000 for street-lighting enhancements to improve resident safety. Furthermore, the council plans to increase efforts in tackling unregistered Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and abandoned vehicles, addressing longstanding community concerns.
Significant funds have been earmarked for improving Ealing's parks and open spaces, with £1.6 million allocated to refurbish playgrounds and install new flood lighting. This investment will allow play areas to remain open longer during autumn evenings, benefiting young people and families.
Support for Early Years Services
Despite plans to close 10 children's centres in the borough, Ealing Labour has committed to doubling financial support for Early Help services. This includes enhanced funding for speech and language therapy, parenting support groups, and baby and child health clinics, aiming to protect new parents and young children.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Peter Mason, commented, "Residents tell us they want a borough that is safe, clean and fair. The council is listening and this budget supports that vision. We are investing in keeping streets clean, tackling antisocial behaviour and giving young people things to do."
He added that the council continues to invest in its council tax support scheme to assist residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis, demonstrating a commitment to balancing enforcement with community welfare.
