Mayor Ros Jones proposes maximum council tax hike for Doncaster residents and £250m in capital investment
Council tax in Doncaster will increase by the maximum, if Mayor Ros Jones proposals are approved by full council.
The Labour Mayor of Doncaster has proposed a 4.99 per cent increase on council tax paid to the council, a move she avoided the previous year, alongside a significant capital spending plan.
“Like councils across the country, we continue to experience further service pressures, especially within Adults and Children’s services, resulting in increasing financial challenges, volatility and risk,” Mayor Jones said in a statement.
She added: “Tough decisions have been made which reflect the need to cover rising costs and service demand, which is why Doncaster, like the majority of local authorities nationwide, is proposing the maximum rise in Council Tax as set out by the Government, something we’ve strived to hold off from doing previously.
“Whilst I appreciate this rise may be disappointing for residents, without it we won’t be able to deliver all the essential services that residents rely on. Doncaster has the lowest council tax in Yorkshire and one of the lowest in the country.”
The council tax increase comes alongside proposals for £248million in capital spending in 2026/27, up from 2025/26, and just under £550m through 2029/30.
The combined capital budget (money often for building, buying and other physical assets) and revenue budget (running costs) tops £900m in 2026/27 alone.
Key highlights of Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposals
- Council tax to rise 4.99 per cent - the maximum hike allowed without special permission.
- £248m of capital investment in 2026/27.
- Combined revenue and capital expenditure will surpass £900m in 2026/27.
- Record £60m investment in road maintenance through 2029/30.
- £48.7m to deliver housing across Doncaster through 2029/30.
- £87.9m in borrowing for capital investment in 2026/27 alone.
A previously announced “record investment” of £60m for maintaining Doncaster’s 1,000 mile road network over the next four years, at £15m-per-year, remains in the proposals, as well as £10m for flood prevention measures.
The council will continue to use Towns Fund monies to invest in the construction of the ‘Station Gateway’ (£12.8m) and the improvements in Stainforth (£14.1m).
£10.2m from Levelling-Up Three, announced under the previous Conservative government, will continue to be invested in Mexborough and funding from City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) pots – also announced under previous Conservative governments – is to be invested into Doncaster East (£6m in 2026/27) and the Doncaster Southern Gateway (£5m in 2026/27).
The budget proposals also include £48.7m over the next four years for “delivering homes across the borough”, plus £21m over the same period for “council house acquisitions”.
However, the Mayor’s budget proposals are one of the few items she needs to have approved by full council, which in previous years has had a Labour majority.
This year, Mayor Jones needs to persuade the Reform UK majority to back her budget.
“Doncaster deserves a council that treats public money like its own.”
Reform UK criticised a “lack of vision” for the council’s internal savings programme.
A party spokesperson said: “They’ve called it a Radical Efficiency Programme. There’s nothing radical about it. No targets, no milestones, just vague promises about pilots. You wouldn’t run your household on a hunch, so why should Doncaster be any different?”
Reform UK’s new group leader, Cllr Craig Ward, informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service in a statement that his party will “table an alternative balanced budget with real numbers and real savings”.
“Doncaster deserves a council that treats public money like its own,” he said.
Conservative group leader, Councillor Steve Cox questioned: “How on earth can we support a budget formed by the very people who have been involved in the deception regarding the lease?
“There’s no scrutiny. They will say ‘this has been noted by OSMC’. I’m completely disillusioned with it, if I’m honest.”
Mayor Jones’ budget proposals are on the agenda for an overview and scrutiny management committee (OSMC) meeting on February 5, 2026. However, Cllr Cox has stressed he believes little can be done to influence the proposals.
Advance UK’s Cllr Nicola Brown said: “My main concern is on the effect on those living in deprived wards. The council tax increase, 4.99% which is right at the limit. Times are already hard for people and they are taking the brunt again.”
“This coming from Labour who are supposed to be for the working class,” she added.
Mayor Jones’ budget proposals will be presented at a full City of Doncaster Council meeting on February 26, 2026.