Medway Conservatives voted against Medway Council’s 2026/27 Budget, passed this evening 25th February 2026. The Budget, which relies on £10 million of exceptional financial support (EFS) for the third year in a row, is a debt disaster, increasing Council Tax once again.
Following the presentation of the Budget by Leader of the council, Cllr Maple, the Medway Conservatives Leader and Medway Council Opposition Leader, Cllr Perfect, criticised the labour government for its recent poor leadership and failure to deliver a ‘pro-growth’ economy. The Labour Party has failed pensioners, it has failed those seeking employment and those seeking to employ, it has failed farmers and ultimately has failed the country, leaving us with an unstable economy and weak borders.
Cllr Perfect made clear that Labour has shortchanged this council by £8m. The only solution Medway Labour has come up with for this is borrowing from the government and taking money out of the pockets of Medway residents to pay it back.
Cllr Perfect in his budget response set out the shortcomings of the revenue budget. Another year of increases to fees and charges across services, investment in unessential projects, all while ignoring residents’ concerns and a refusal to make the tough decisions expected of proper, sound leadership in a time of financial crisis. In response to sluggish growth, higher inflation and increasing interest rates, this administration has chosen to put pressure on council services to paint the picture of stability.
Following this, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Hackwell, supported by the Shadow Cabinet Member for Business Support, Climate Change and Digital, Cllr Tejan, moved an amendment. The amendment has the potential to save £1.047m in the 2026/7 financial year, to in the short term, reinvest some into free parking for short stays and free parking for country parks and reduce EFS and, in the long term, save Medway residents £2.7m a year in future costs.
Cllr Perfect, Leader of the Opposition, speaking during the meeting said:
“Mr Mayor, we cannot ignore the challenges facing this budget. A £10m gap brought about by higher interest rates and large borrowing, coupled with an £8m cash grab from the Labour Government. This Budget is not delivering the long-term sustainability that this council needs.”
Cllr Hackwell, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Workforce, speaking on the amendment said:
“Our residents of Medway deserve better our young people need access to green spaces for their wellbeing and mental health why does this administration want to make that access cost prohibitive whilst actively promoting heathier lifestyles. Although the proposals we have made are relatively modest, they go some way to giving the residents of Medway something back that they will appreciate in the inflationary times we are living under with this labour government with unemployment on a steep upward trajectory any small amounts back in residents’ pockets would be welcome.”
Medway Labour is living beyond its means and forcing you to do the same. The administration proves year after year that it is unable to provide financially resilient and future-proof plans for Medway. They have pushed our council to the brink of collapse. They promised a "fresh start"; instead, they have delivered a debt disaster that will haunt Medway for a generation.
