Our services
For 2026-27, Wyre Forest District councillors have approved a £16.97 million net budget. Income from Council Tax makes up around 54% of this. The rest comes from business rates (16%) and grants (30%).
Our services — 2026/27
The money that comes to us helps pay for all these services and more:
- Collecting your recycling and household waste
- Cleaning streets and tackling litter
- Managing parks and nature reserves
- Providing housing and benefits advice
- Supporting local businesses and economic development
- Maintaining car parks
- Combating fly-tipping, dog fouling and environmental crime
- Running planning services
- Delivering elections
- Offering energy efficiency advice and grants
- Supporting communities to grow and thrive
Our corporate plan sets out our priorities and strategic actions up until 2027.
Keep up to date with all our news. We have more than 29,000 subscriptions to our email newsletters – join in and sign up now
What we're doing in 2026/27
Our vision is to make Wyre Forest a safe, vibrant and clean place to live, work and visit. Here's how your money is being put to work this year.
Cleaner streets and greener spaces
More officers will be dealing with fly-tipping, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour, and litter picking will increase during the tourist season to keep parks, riverside areas and town centres looking their best.
A new pilot scheme will introduce on-street recycling and litter bins in town centres.
Car park charges are being frozen in 2026-27 to help support our town centres.
Regeneration and investment
Talbot Park — a green space in the heart of Kidderminster — is opening in late spring 2026.
Work on the National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed improvement project at Brinton Park is continuing, with completion due later this year.
Plans are progressing for Bridge Street in Stourport. We have been consulting on a development for the site. We have also been working with Stourport Town Council on a Vision for the town — work that could unlock further grant funding to invest in the town.
Culture, heritage and community
The budget includes extra support for cultural events across the three towns.
A one-off grant has been agreed to support the Museum of Carpet as part of a wider package of investment in Kidderminster's heritage and visitor economy and the Kidderminster 2040 Vision.
Local Government Reorganisation
We will be preparing for Local Government Reorganisation. This is the biggest shake-up of local government in more than 50 years. The Government is looking to replace Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City, Worcestershire County, Wychavon District and Wyre Forest District Councils with fewer councils. Two options have been submitted to the Government. One for a single unitary to run all services for the county. The other involves creating two unitary councils, one for the north and one for the south. A decision on which proposal will be chosen is expected in July. Elections to a ‘shadow’ council or councils is expected in May 2027 with the new council(s) taking over the running of services from 1 April 2028.
Trouble paying?
It is really important that you contact us as soon as possible if you are having difficulty paying your bill. You may be entitled to pay less Council Tax in certain circumstances.
You can ask to spread your annual bill over 12 instalments instead of 10.
You can find out more visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/difficultypaying
Other cost of living support
We know many people are worried by the increased cost of living. Our Financial Inclusion team are here to help.
The team can provide information and advice on many matters including debt and budgeting, rent arrears and housing problems, council tax debt and help with claiming benefits. They will look at all areas of support that may be available to you.
Find out more at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/costofliving