The Doncaster budget risk has intensified after fresh warnings from the Green Party. Local Greens say Reform UK’s amended council budget could push the city toward bankruptcy by 2028.
Last week, Reform UK and Conservative councillors voted against Mayor Ros Jones’ proposed 4.99 percent Council Tax increase. Instead, councillors approved a lower two percent rise during a full council meeting. However, Green Party representatives argue the decision removes crucial income from future budgets.
According to party estimates, scrapping the additional 2.99 percent rise will reduce council income by around £4.7 million each year. As a result, they warn the city faces mounting financial pressure. Moreover, they say long-term stability could suffer if funding gaps widen.
A Green Party spokesperson said years of austerity have already strained local services. Currently, nearly 80 percent of the council’s budget funds adult and children’s social care. Consequently, only a small portion remains for other essential services residents depend on daily.
Furthermore, the Greens highlighted reliance on a £12.5 million Recovery Grant from central government. That grant currently supports the council’s financial position. However, there is no guarantee it will continue beyond 2028. Therefore, the party argues that removing expected tax income increases Doncaster budget risk even further.
In addition, the council’s Chief Financial Officer has issued formal advice to councillors. The officer warned that reducing planned tax rises increases long-term financial uncertainty. If projected savings fail to materialise, the council may need to issue a Section 114 notice. Such a move would halt non-essential spending and signal severe financial distress.
Cat Seymour, co-chair of Doncaster Green Party, said the warning should alarm residents. She argued that financial caution must guide decision-making at this stage. Moreover, she described the amended budget as a political gamble rather than a sustainable strategy.
Meanwhile, supporters of the lower tax rise say residents face ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Nevertheless, the Greens insist that short-term relief could create deeper long-term problems. They argue the council must prioritise stable planning over headline-grabbing decisions.
Ultimately, the debate reflects wider tensions over how to manage stretched local finances. However, the Greens maintain that careful budgeting now will protect services later. As discussions continue, Doncaster budget risk remains at the centre of the political dispute.
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