Fife Council has today agreed its budget for 2026/27, setting out plans to protect vital services, support vulnerable residents and invest in local priorities across the Kingdom.

The budget closes a £3.626m funding gap while maintaining the council’s previously planned 5% rise in council tax. This keeps Fife among the lower increases expected nationally. Water and sewerage charges, which are set nationally, will rise by 8.67%.

The council’s spending plans reflect priorities identified through public consultation, including support for children and young people, improving health and wellbeing, and helping household finances.

Strengthening Health & Social Care

Health and Social Care remains under significant pressure, and the council is increasing investment to help meet growing demand. This includes:

• passing on £2.666m in recurring funding from the Scottish Government to the Health and Social Care Partnership
• a further £2.834m of new council investment, bringing additional support to £5.5m
• allocating Fife’s share of the national Real Living Wage funding directly to the Partnership.

An additional £200k will support extending the successful mental health response car to cover more of Fife, supported by partner funding.

Investment in Education

Education budgets will rise in line with inflation and national pay awards. Additional funding will support:

• £500k for more Pupil Support Assistants and Additional Needs staff
• £250k for the school library service
• £200k for school swimming (increasing to £300k in 2027/28)
• £100k investment for an immersive classroom pilot at a Fife secondary school
• £75k investment into language learning
• £100k funding for Fife Youth Orchestra
• £100k to support young carers

Supporting families and tackling poverty

Over £1m will continue to support anti‑poverty initiatives, including the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Climate, environment and community projects

Environmental investment includes:

• Making last year’s £100k increase for the Coast and Countryside Trust permanent
• £150k for climate adaptation
• £230k to improve flood monitoring and warning systems

Other local projects receiving funding include Flexi‑Bus expansion, the Twin Town Olympiad, facility upgrades with Glenrothes Strollers, and initial work on a proposed ‘Beyond Scotland’ visitor attraction.

Roads and infrastructure

An extra £3.5m will be invested in local roads, split evenly across the area committees. Further funding will support improvements to signage, lining and drainage.

Capital investment also includes:

• A further £5.9m to enhance the new Inverkeithing swimming pool with gym and dry‑side facilities (taking the overall project budget to £19m)
• £5m for Dunfermline city centre regeneration
• £1m for additional regeneration activity in Kirkcaldy
• £500k capital investment to support and futureproof several community use buildings
• £250k capital investment in the long-term future of Burntisland Burgh Chambers
• £250k for a new Employability Skills Centre
• £200k for further improvements at Lochore Meadows

Council Leader Cllr David Ross said: “This is a responsible and balanced budget that protects local services at a time of continued financial and service demand pressures. Although we face a real‑terms reduction in core funding, we have worked constructively across political groups and listened closely to the public.

“This budget maintains our commitment on council tax, supports our most vulnerable residents, and provides targeted investment where demand is greatest - particularly in health and social care, education, and local infrastructure.

“Our focus remains firmly on delivering for the people of Fife.”