Warwickshire’s Reform and Conservatives join forces to block alternative budget to “invest in our future”
Warwickshire Liberal Democrats' proposed budget narrowly missed this week getting a majority in votes to pass through as the administration’s budget for 2026/27.
After Reform failed to get approval for their plans, which would have seen millions of pounds in cuts that require ‘further scoping’, the Liberal Democrats presented an alternative budget. This got support from across the Council chamber, because it aimed to invest in early prevention and avoid creating a ‘lost generation’.
However, after a marathon 10-hour debate, the Liberal Democrat budget fell just short of the votes needed to pass, despite getting support from Green, Labour, and Independent (Whitnash Residents) councillors who recognised the need to invest in prevention rather than manage crisis.
The vote leaves Warwickshire County Council in deadlock, with Reform's own budget - which included £4.2 million in unspecified "transformation" savings and cuts to youth services serving 4,000 young people - having already failed to pass earlier in the evening.
The defeated Liberal Democrat budget would have delivered more than £28 million in investments:
• £1.5 million for Child Poverty and Neglect Strategy to support struggling families and improve early years development
• £1.15 million for Children and Family Hubs offering practical help with school uniforms, maternity boxes, and employability support
• £2 million for Home to School Transport vehicles reducing rural isolation
• £10 million for active travel infrastructure creating safer routes to schools and town centres
• £3 million Green Shoots programme for community climate adaptation projects
• £1 million for solar panel installations on council buildings with proven return on investment
• £280,000 protection of youth grants supporting 25 youth clubs serving over 4,000 young people across Warwickshire - clubs that Reform's budget would have closed
• £200,000 Future Destinations Hub providing personalised support for 16-24 year-olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
• £200,000 Compassionate Communities Programme supporting people with disabilities, dementia, and mental health challenges to stay independent and connected.
Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said:
"This week has been a deeply disappointing week for the people of Warwickshire, particularly our young people and vulnerable residents who deserved better. For just 39 pence per week - literally the cost of a Freddo - we could have protected youth services serving 4,000 young people, invested in preventing child poverty, and built £28 million worth of infrastructure for Warwickshire's future.
Instead, Reform and the Conservatives joined forces to block these investments, but they offered nothing in return. Reform's own budget would have closed 25 youth clubs, cut support for domestic abuse, and relied on £4.7 million in magical 'transformation' savings they couldn't even describe.
We were prepared to make the difficult but responsible choice: invest 39p extra per week now to prevent expensive crises later. Prevention saves money and transforms lives. Reform chose to save 39p and create the conditions for family breakdown, youth disengagement, and community decline.
We will continue fighting for a budget that invests in Warwickshire's future, not one that cuts services today and stores up a crisis for tomorrow."
The Council will reconvene on 17 February 2026 to attempt to agree a budget. Until then, Warwickshire remains without a financial plan for the coming year and without a Council Plan from Reform.
